The importance of hemolysis detection among neonates for interpretation of potassium results

Specimen hemolysis is a frequent finding when blood is collected from neonates. This produces artificially high results for some analytes, such as potassium. Testing samples for electrolytes using point-of-care (POC) blood gas analyzers is convenient and facile. However, unlike testing that is conducted on serum or plasma from a central laboratory, detection of hemolysis using POC analyzers cannot currently be achieved. As described in these cases, the presence of hemolysis can produce ambiguities and delays in the diagnosis and management of neonates.