Quantifying the Economic Impact of Poor Quality (Hemolyzed) Blood Samples from the Emergency Department

Hemolysis is the most common source of error in laboratory samples; it can potentially affect the results of several frequently ordered lab tests, and is responsible for almost 60% of rejected samples, 1,2 requiring re-collection. One study in the literature identified hemolysis as “financially important”, 5 and another calculated the possible avoidable expenditure resulting from hemolysis to be as high as 22.8% of the total cost of serum sample collection. In collaboration with the BD Solutions Group, we developed a model to determine the costs of hemolyzed samples using the average hemolysis rate in the ED of 10%.  The potential cost savings were then calculated if the rate of hemolysis in the ED could be reduced from 10% to 2%. A substantial portion of time must be allocated to manage a hemolyzed sample.  The actual testing (or re-testing) in the laboratory (including reagents and labor) must be incorporated in any costs associated with hemolyzed samples.  By reducing hemolysis in the ED to 2%, a comparable hospital could realize an annual savings of approximately $144,000, which includes both materials and labor.