Potassium
K
2.63
Heparin (light green), SST (gold)
0.3 ml Heparin (light green) or Plain(red).
Room temperature
Biochemistry
Mon - Sun, 24hrs
3 hrs
Cobas 6000 indirect ion selective electrode "T"labs Vitros 350 direct ion selective electrode
mmol/L
< 1 month = 4.5 – 6.0 mmol/L
> 1 month = 3.5 – 5.2 mmolL
(From ARQAG October 2009)
±0.2 mmol/L
The Choosing Wisely recommendations include the following:
Don’t do regular tests but test in response to clinical questions.
Don’t do repeat tests if clinically stable; repeat only when clinically indicated.
Do not repeat laboratory tests for patients transferred into the ED who have laboratory results within reference ranges available from outside hospital.
Don’t do screening tests in low risk patients undergoing low risk surgery.
We also recommend:
Do not repeat the creatinine and electrolytes if they were normal unless there are clinical indications to suggest a likely change (eg hypotension, reduced urine output).
Micro samples may have elevated potassium due to haemolysis.
POT
$POT
2823-3
