The Effect of Free Space Variation in 3 mL K₂EDTA Vacuum Tube on the Accuracy of Hematocrit and Red Blood Cell Count Tests

Maria Nuraeni; Lusia Sudarmi; Gabriela Yesisca Noventa Panggabean

doi:10.31983/jrk.v15i1.14641

Authors

Maria Nuraeni Universitas Katolik Musi Charitas
Lusia Sudarmi Universitas Katolik Musi Charitas
Gabriela Yesisca Noventa Panggabean Universitas Katolik Musi Charitas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31983/jrk.v15i1.14641

Keywords:

Free Space , K₂EDTA , Hematocrit , Erythrocytes, Pre-Analytical Phase

Abstract

The accuracy of hematology test results is influenced by various factors, including the quality of the pre-analytical phase. One condition that is still encountered in laboratory practice is the inconsistency of blood filling volume in EDTA vacuum tubes, which creates headspace and can alter the ratio of blood to anticoagulant. This condition has the potential to affect hematocrit and erythrocyte count test results. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of free space variation in 3 mL K₂EDTA vacuum tubes on the accuracy of hematocrit and red blood cell count results. This study was a laboratory experiment with a quantitative approach and a paired design (within subjects). The study subjects consisted of 37 healthy young adults aged 18 to 23 years. Venous blood was collected from each subject and placed in two 3 mL K₂EDTA vacuum tubes with filling volumes of 2.2 mL and 3.0 mL. Hematocrit and erythrocyte counts were examined using a validated automatic hematology analyzer. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilk normality test, and paired samples t-test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The mean erythrocyte count at a filling volume of 2.2 mL was 4.93 ± 0.40 million cells/µL and at a filling volume of 3.0 mL was 4.92 ± 0.39 million cells/µL. The mean hematocrit values were 41.32 ± 3.27% and 41.14 ± 3.18%, respectively. The results of the paired samples t-test showed no statistically significant difference in red blood cell count (p = 0.633) or hematocrit (p = 0.051) between the two filling volume variations. Variations in free space in 3 mL K₂EDTA vacuum tubes with 2.2 mL and 3.0 mL blood filling did not show statistically significant differences in hematocrit and erythrocyte count results. Under well-controlled pre-analytical conditions, blood filling up to 2.2 mL still produced hematological values comparable to full filling.

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