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.