Improved quality of samples and laboratory turnaround time using 3.5 mL low vacuum BD Vacutainer® Barricor tubes in the emergency department

Abstract

Background Centrifugation is a consuming time step which participates to increase the turnaround time (TAT) in laboratories, likewise hemolysis sample that needs a re-sampling could delay management of patients. Recently, it has been postulated that BD Barricor™ tube could allow to decrease the centrifugation time and prevent hemolysis, two key feature to ensure high-quality results. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of replacing 4 mL BD vacutainer heparin lithium tube by low vacuum 3.5 mL BD vacutainer Barricor™ tube in an emergency department (ED) on hemolysis rate and TAT. Methods Data of hemolysis index (HI) and TAT were compared between the first period of 15 days using 4 mL BD vacutainer heparin lithium tubes with 15 min at 2000xg as centrifugation setting and a second period of 15 days using BD vacutainer Barricor™ tube centrifuged 3 min at 4000xg. Results A significantly reduced time duration between reception of sample and available results in informatics lab system was observed with the reduction time of centrifugation allowed by use of Barricor™ tube compared to regular heparin lithium tubes (p < 0.001). A significative decrease in hemolysis rate also occurred in the second period as samples with HI < 10 reached from 52.5% in the first period to 68.5% (p < 0.001) in the second. Conclusion Low vacuum Barricor TM tubes allowing a higher speed of centrifugation improve lab TAT without impairment of sample quality as a significant reduction of hemolysis was observed, a double advantage which is of particular interest for ED.

Evaluation of the Barricor Tube in 28 Routine Chemical Tests and Its Impact on Turnaround Time in an Outpatient Clinic

“…The Barricor tube reduced fibrin-related remediation activities from 2.3% to 0.4%, which is consistent with our results [5]. In another study regarding the switch from PST to the Barricor tube, a reduction in centrifugation time from 15 minutes to 3 minutes led to a significant reduction in TAT in an emergency department [6]. In the previous studies, TAT typically began at sample receipt, not blood collection or test request, because this stage is influenced solely by the laboratory [19].…”

“…Some studies have investigated the effects of the Barricor tube on TAT in the phlebotomy unit and clinical laboratory [5,6]. In a comparison of TAT data during two six-month phases of using the SST and the Barricor tube separately, the Barricor tube significantly reduced the 90th percentile TAT from 88 to 79 minutes, especially during peak hours.…”

“…The efficacy of the Barricor tube and its ability to reduce TAT compared with the SST have been reported recently [5,6]. We compared the results of routine chemical tests performed using the SST and the Barricor tube and evaluated the change in TAT and the hemolysis index after switching to the Barricor tube in a one-day visiting department, the third-floor unit.…”

Effect of centrifugation force and time on the analysis of lactate dehydrogenase and potassium in the serum samples

“…Improving turnaround times (TAT) is a challenging process that calls for planning, equipment, personnel training, and procurement. The entire process, from ordering the tests to reporting the results, should be tracked, and improvements should be made (17).…”

Improving Clinical Laboratory Quality through Reduction of Tests’ Turnaround Time in Democratic Republic of the Congo: Key Strategies

“…Replacing regular tubes with the low vacuum BD Barricor TM tubes has two advantages which are a reduction of centrifugation time allowing improvement of lab TAT and a reduction of hemolyzed samples that improve sample and result quality. A study by Badiou et al evaluated the impact of replacing 4 mL BD vacutainer heparin lithium tubes with 15 min at 2000 × g as centrifugation setting by low vacuum 3.5 mL BD vacutainer Barricor TM tube centrifuged 3 min at 4000 × g. A significantly reduced TAT and a significative decrease in hemolysis rate were observed with the reduction time of centrifugation allowed by use of Barricor TM tubes compared to regular heparin lithium tubes[38]. Another study evaluated the impact of BD Vacutainer® Barricor TM Tube (Barricor TM ) on laboratory efficiency by measuring its effect on TAT and sample quality, as well as evaluate potential cost opportunities resulting from improved sample quality.…”