Hematology is a clinical discipline that focuses on the study of blood, including its composition, structure and function. This discipline is used to diagnose and treat various blood-related health problems, such as anemia, infectious diseases, coagulation disorders and many other hematological disorders. Hematology tests are performed to help clinicians accurately identify health problems affecting the blood and decide the best treatments for patients.
An important factor when performing a hematology analysis is the selection of the right reagents to measure clinical parameters and/or markers. This means that reagents must be selected according to clinical information to obtain reliable and accurate results. The use of inappropriate reagents or inadequate concentrations in a hematology test can lead to incorrect or false positive results.
What are inappropriate reagent concentrations in hematology tests?
Inadequate reagent concentrations refer to the insufficient or excessive amount of reagent used in a hematology test to obtain the desired result. This means that if a reagent is too dilute or concentrated, the result obtained may not be optimal. Inadequate dilution of the reagent can give results that are too low, while excessive concentration can give exaggerated results. In both cases, the results obtained may be false, potentially affecting medical decision making.
The importance of using the proper reagent concentration is directly linked to reagent selection. A reagent should be selected according to the clinical parameters and/or markers for which the analysis is being performed. Once the appropriate one has been selected, the next step is to ensure that the reagent concentration set is correct. This is often done by performing a reagent concentration test prior to running the assay.
In addition to incorrect results, inadequate reagent concentrations can also trigger cross-reactions. These cross-reactions involve the presence of reagent in the sample without the reagent actually being responsible for it in the blood. This can be a result of the presence of other reagents in the sample with which the reagent is combined. This can be reduced as long as the concentration of the reagent is correct.
The importance of having hematology reagents of the proper concentration
Proper reagent selection and correct reagent concentration are important to minimize incorrect results in hematology testing. Therefore, you should always ensure that reagents are properly selected. In addition, the assay operator should perform a reagent concentration check before applying the reagent to the sample. This will help to increase the sensitivity and specificity of hematology assays, and ensure accurate and reliable results.
To ensure that reagents are properly concentrated in hematology tests, users should follow some good practices. This means not using reagents that have reached their expiration date or have been improperly handled or stored. In addition, testing personnel should use reagent concentration test kits and limit strips to check the accuracy of the results. Finally, the assay should be verified using other tests for the same clinical condition.
Consequently, improper use of reagent concentration in hematology testing can cause incorrect results, falsify measurements and lead to erroneous clinical decisions. Both situations can jeopardize the results and the health of patients. For this reason, it is essential to properly select reagents and ensure that their concentration is correct before running a hematology test to avoid potentially serious errors.
The quality of Kalstein hematology reagents
Kalstein, as a leading manufacturer of laboratory and clinical equipment, offers hematology reagents that are carefully formulated to ensure their composition and stability for accurate and precise blood testing. The reagents in our catalog, called YRA15 // YRA17, allow the counting of blood cells, as well as dilution and cleaning of the equipment. For the purchase of these reagents and prices, our team of technicians will assist you at HERE and HERE.
