Liposomal amphotericin B interferes with the phosphorus assay on the Synchron LX 20 analyzer.

ined hemolysis (H)-indices before and after implementing the AC mode on a large number of samples. H-indices were determined photometrically at 405 and 700 nm (5 ). Retrospective examination of H-indices from 42 124 samples processed in the CC mode was compared with H-indices from 30 483 samples processed in the AC mode. The distributions of the different grades of hemolysis were identical for the 2 groups (see Table 1 in the Data Supplement that accompanies the online version of this Letter to the Editor at http:// www.clinchem. org/content/vol53/issue4), with no increase in the frequency of hemolyzed samples during operation in the AC mode. We also investigated the frequency of clot occurrences before and after the introduction of the AC mode by examining the frequency of the error code “processing error” on the Dimension RxL Max, as a surrogate indicator for clot detection. The clot detection rate dropped from 0.09% to 0.05% (P 0.0001). Thus, the AC mode did not result in increased clot formation on the analyzers. In conclusion, the BD Vacutainer SSTTMII Advance allows fast and reliable serum separation within 5 min at 3000g without change in sample quality regarding gel barrier formation, separation, and hemolysis. The AC settings can be recommended for routine use with the SSTTMII Advance tubes to shorten turnaround times.