Background: Referral of samples for the work-up of haematological disorders from remote laboratories can result in a delay in analysis.Objective: The stability of the full blood count (FBC), differential count (DIFF), reticulocyte and peripheral blood smear (PBS) morphology during extended storage was evaluated.Methods: Forty blood samples stored in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were analysed on an ADVIA® 120 haematology analyser. The samples (25% abnormal; 75% normal) were stored at room temperature (RT) and at 4 °C – 8 °C. Analysis of samples stored at RT was performed every 12 hours for two days. Analysis of samples stored at 4 °C – 8 °C was performed at 12 hours and subsequently every 24 hours for seven days.Results: FBC parameters (red cell count, haemoglobin) and DIFF parameters (percentages of basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) were stable for at least 48 hours when stored at RT. Platelets were only stable for 12 hours and the white cell count was stable for 36 hours when stored at RT. Storing samples at 4 °C – 8 °C significantly increased the stability of most parameters, in particular, mean cell volume and percentage of reticulocytes. However, DIFF parameters were associated with lower stability at 4 °C – 8 °C. PBS morphology was compromised prior to 12 hours whether stored at RT or at 4 °C – 8 °C.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that blood samples stored in EDTA at 4 °C – 8 °C for seven days are suitable for testing on the ADVIA® 120 analyser for the FBC and percentage of reticulocyte parameters. However, storage at 4 °C – 8 °C is not a solution for samples referred for DIFF and PBS morphology review.

Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) detection has been shown to be the best prognostic factor in B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). Multicolour flow cytometry (FCM) and specific molecular aberrations (MOL) are the classic techniques used to assess MRD. The former is faster and less costly.

Background: The recommendation for coagulation blood samples is to centrifuge at 4000 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 15 min to produce platelet-poor plasma before analysis. Rapid centrifugation, defined as centrifuging samples at higher speeds for shorter durations, could potentially reduce turn-around times (TAT), provided sample integrity is maintained.Objective: This study assessed the impact of rapid centrifugation on routine coagulation assay results.Methods: Blood samples were collected from volunteers at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from September to November 2021. Samples were centrifuged using Method A, the current standard (4000 rpm/15 min), Method B (4000 rpm/10 min), Method C (5000 rpm/10 min) and Method D (5000 rpm/5 min). Platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and D-dimer levels were analysed and results from Methods B, C and D compared to reference Method A.Results: Platelet-poor plasma was obtained from all samples (n = 60) using Methods A and B, and from 33/60 (55%) samples using Methods C and D. Differences between Method A and Methods C and D for normal prothrombin time, normal D-dimer and abnormal TT results were statistically significant. Prothrombin time results correlated strongly across all methods, while TT and D-dimer results correlated poorly. Activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen results showed no significant differences across all methods.Conclusion: Rapid centrifugation at 4000 rpm/10 min (Method B) showed results consistent with the reference method. This method could potentially reduce the overall TAT for routine coagulation assays.