LabNotes - Volume 13, No.3, Summer 2003

From The Editor

In this issue of LabNotes, we are pleased to present you with a new and useful tool, our "Troubleshooting Erroneous Potassiums in a Clinical Laboratory Setting" wall chart. We recognize that falsely elevated potassium values are a concern. Often, these erroneous results may be due to several preanalytical variables, including venipuncture technique, specimen handling and processing, or even mixing venous blood collection products from different manufacturers. At BD, we understand how important it is for our customers to be able to report accurate laboratory results, so we hope that you will hang this chart in your lab and use it as a reference guide if you happen to be concerned about potassium values.

Another exciting new item that we want to introduce to you in this issue is the BD Vacutainer® Push-Button Blood Collection Set. As in the past, BD is continuing to provide products that will help to ensure healthcare worker safety. This new blood collection set automatically retracts when the healthcare worker pushes the activation button with his or her index finger.

You will also learn about a relatively new CAP question that asks whether you are currently using 3.2% sodium citrate tubes for your coagulation testing.

We hope you enjoy this issue of LabNotes. As always, we look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Jeffry B. Lawrence, MD

Associate Editor
Leslie S. Magee, MBA, MT(ASCP)

Editorial Contributor
Vera Bitcon, MS, MT(ASCP)

Production Coordinator
Marion Plumley

LabNotes is published by BD Vacutainer Systems, Preanalytical Solutions, Franklin Lakes, NJ, providing the laboratory community with laboratory products, including the BD Vacutainer® Brand System, the BD Unopette™ Brand System, BD Microtainer® Brand Tubes, BD Microtainer® Safety Flow™ Lancets, BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Needle Holder, BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set, BD Vacutainer® Needle Disposal Container, BD Eclipse™ Blood Collection Needle and BD Quikheel™ Lancet.

Address all correspondence to: Leslie Magee, Associate Editor, LabNotes, BD Vacutainer Systems, Preanalytical Solutions, 1 Becton Drive MC325, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417-1885.

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