What is the recommended action if a blood draw results in hemolysis?

When a blood draw results in hemolysis, the recommended action is to re-run the test with a new sample. Hemolysis can cause interference in laboratory tests by lysing red blood cells, which releases hemoglobin and other cellular components into the serum or plasma. This can lead to inaccurate test results, particularly for tests measuring specific analytes, such as potassium or lactate dehydrogenase, where elevated levels may misleadingly suggest pathological conditions.

Collecting a new sample ensures that the results reflect the true physiological state of the patient. Ignoring the result or proceeding with testing could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate management based on erroneous data. Changing the analysis method may not rectify the underlying issue of hemolysis and could still yield inaccurate results if the sample is compromised. Therefore, re-running the test with a fresh sample is crucial for obtaining reliable laboratory data.