New research shows that the manner in which blood is collected from patients for some blood tests can alter the results. Clenching the fist during blood taking could lead to some patients being directed to their nearest A&E department as a heart emergency. When the test is repeated using correct blood collection technique, it may be found to be a false alarm.
The findings were reported by Vanessa Thurlow, consultant clinical scientist in biochemistry, and Dr Ian R Bailey, consultant chemical pathologist, in a paper titled: Is suboptimal phlebotomy technique impacting on potassium results for primary care?, Annals of Clinical Biochemistry.
