Correction of Factitious Hyperkalemia in Hemolysed Specimens from Adult Emergency Department Using the Beckman Coulter Unicell DxC 880i® Analyzer Derived Factor

Hemolysis in ED (emergency department) patients is common due to difficult blood draws. Values of serum potassium (K) become falsely elevated secondary to release of intracellular contents. Objective: The aim of the study was to establish a correction factor for factitious elevated K in samples for de adult ED. Methods: We used samples from 125 adult ED patients, in which the 2nd sample was drawn due to hemolysis of the first tube. Results: Firstly, we derived a correction factor expressing an increase in potassium concentration in 0.21 mmol/L (95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.24 mmol/L with p < 0.01) for each hemolysis index increment. Conclusions: A reliable correction factor for factitious hyperkalemia in a clinical relevant range exists.