 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
|
Document Details : Title: The pre-analytical challenges of routine urinalysis Author(s): COPPENS A, SPEECKAERT M, DELANGHE J Journal: Acta Clinica Belgica Volume: 65 Issue: 3 Date: 2010 Pages: 182-189 DOI: 10.2143/ACB.65.3.1002406 Abstract : An effective diagnostic strategy for urinalysis should be based on standard procedures for collection, transport, sample preparation and analysis. In view of a better reproducibility of the analyses, the pre-analytical requirements become stricter. Various sample methods can cause signifi - cant pre-analytical errors. It is a challenge for the laboratory to control the steps in the pre-analytical phase that contribute to pre-analytical variability. To reduce the variability, it is necessary to look at the pre-analytical process as a complete entity, from test ordering to the moment of specimen processing. Clinical laboratories are responsible for the clinical and financial outcome of this phase. In a culture of increasing productivity, lower costs and improving quality, the challenge is to use several tools designed to standardize and optimize urinalysis. Despite advances in the performance of analytic systems, the pre-analytical phase of modern urinalyses has not been studied very thoroughly. This review of the literature lights on different problems in current pre-analytical requirements for particle and test strip analysis of urine samples. |
