Question:

What can be the cause of dilution errors?

Hint :

Dilution rate errors are reported as e.g. EDTA079 or EDTA 121. Depending on the dilution error rate settings results are or are not send.

Cause

Dilution rate errors can be caused by malfunction of the instrument/Dilution system like blocked parts/tubing, vacuum errors or insufficient sample volume (see Diluter errors for more information)

Small changes in the dilution rate can be caused by:

• Difference in blood collection time.
• Time differences between the collection of the blood sample and performing the ESR test.
• The temperature of the blood sample (too cold, too warm, stored at room temperature)

Additional information :

Results with dilution rates outside the bandwidth

• When there is more diluent in the blood sample, the expectation is that the blood cells fall faster then when the dilution is at 100% and so the ESR results can be higher.
• When there is not enough diluent in the blood the expectation is that the blood cells cannot fall faster then when the dilution is on 100% and so the ESR results can be less.

Results with over- or under-dilution cannot be accepted and a re-run of the blood sample is required.
Dilution error rate settings can be adjusted, see Diluter settings (Diluter settings, Diluter settings)

Applicable for:

Interrliner
Starrsed RS
Starrsed TL
Starrsed Compact