Specimen Minimum Volume
Specimen Volumes Have Decreased Over Time
January 2011
As laboratory instrumentation technology has advanced, the amount of sample needed for testing has decreased. For example, when I began my career in the laboratory, we drew 15 mLs of blood for a routine chemistry profile that consisted of 12 analytes. Now, we routinely collect 5 mLs to perform those12 tests, and when necessary, we can perform them using much less. So, we have made a lot of progress, thanks primarily due to miniaturization of the handling and analytic components of testing equipment. Technological advances make it possible to perform testing on smaller and smaller amounts of sample, amounts that can be accommodated by micro-collection containers. However, those advances are often off-set by the increased use of laboratory automation systems that allow hands-free specimen processing and testing because most automation systems work best with standard, nonmicrosized collection containers. Nevertheless, we continue to watch how much blood we require because it is in the best interest of the patient and because healthcare providers, patients and their families expect us to do so.
Specimen Volumes Have Decreased Over Time |
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- Introduction
- Iatrogenic Anemia
- Adverse Consequences of Anemia
- Specimen Volumes Have Decreased Over Time
- Specimen Volume Reduction Initiatives at Mayo
- Specimen Minimum Volume (SMV) Definitions
- Automated Assay SMV
- Manual Assay SMV
- Locating Minimum Volume on the Test Catalog
- Specimen Minimum Volume
- Comparison to 5 Commercial Labs
- Specimen Volume Review
- 25-OH Vitamin D: Minimum Volume Requirements
- Specimen Required or Minimum Volume
- Specimen Required Field
- Minimum Volume Field
- Submitted Volume
- Questions?
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