Summary
The research was carried out using BD Time&Temperature equipment.
Results. Using BD T&T equipment, information on 675 specimens transported from 3 randomly selected Lithuanian laboratories was collected. The distance to VUL SK LMC from all 3 laboratories was different. It was noticed that the laboratories failed to maintain a transportation temperature of 2-8 °C. Also, during the research the lowest average MKT (11.34±0.47 °C) was detected in winter, when the environmental temperature is the lowest, and the highest average MKT (25.88±0.82 °C) was observed in summer, when the environmental temperature is the highest. The lowest detected MKT was -2 °C and was documented in winter. The highest MKT was 36.4 °C and was recorded in spring, at the end of May. Shortest transportation time was determined between 1st laboratory and VUL SK LMC (49.11±3.06 minutes). On the other hand, the longest duration of transportation (1119.58±31.5 minutes) was recorded between the 3rd laboratory and VUL SK LMC. The majority of specimens (49.23%) were exposed to too high temperature when being transported while a smaller number of specimens (3.08%) were exposed to too low temperature during transportation. These specimens were mainly used for measuring C-peptide, ACTH, aldosterone, renin, ammonia, DHEA-SO4 as well as for immunological analyses: anti-thyroglobulin, acetylcholine receptors and anti-cardiolipin antibodies, AMA, ENA, ANA or C4 and C3a concentration.
Conclusion. The analysis showed that more than half of specimens used for analyses were transported under not recommended conditions. The majority of specimens exposed to too high temperature were the ones that had to be frozen during transportation.
Keywords: preanalytical phase, sample transportation, quality assurance.