Handling of and Direct Sampling from Primary Barcode-Labeled Pediatric Tubes on Vitros Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Integrated into an enGen Work Cell

Abstract

Handling and directly sampling from primary barcode-labeled pediatric tubes is a challenge for laboratories receiving substantial numbers of samples from pediatric patients (1). To prevent iatrogenic anemia from frequent blood draws, preanalytical as well as analytical systems should be capable of handling small sample volumes collected in pediatric tubes (2). However, most analyzers and robotic systems have been developed for standard 5- to 7-mL test tubes and cannot handle small pediatric tubes. This incompatibility leads to manual processing of pediatric samples and transfer of samples to micro cups even in large automated laboratories. Manual handling of specimens and transfer of samples are laborious and may lead to errors in both the preanalytical and analytical phases. In most hospitals, blood of pediatric patients is collected in small pediatric tubes by heel puncture, in contrast to adult patients from whom blood is collected by venipuncture in 5- to 7-mL evacuated tubes. Although most instruments require that the barcode label be applied vertically for reading, regular barcode labels do not conveniently fit on small pediatric tubes (2). Because of the reduced size of the tubes, separate buckets are needed for centrifugation, and often the barcode labels, which are too large for the small tubes, interfere with proper fitting in the buckets; they can also get damaged and no longer be readable (1). Furthermore, standard analyzer sample racks and trays do not support the dimensions …