What is the maximum time a collected blood sample can sit before being centrifuged?

The maximum time a collected blood sample can sit before being centrifuged is typically 30 minutes. This timeframe is critical because prolonged exposure of the blood sample to room temperature can lead to cellular breakdown and degradation of biochemical components, affecting the accuracy of test results.

After 30 minutes, various processes, such as the initiation of glycolysis, could alter the composition of the plasma or serum, with potential impacts on enzyme levels, electrolyte concentrations, and other important parameters being measured in the laboratory tests. Maintaining a strict timeline for processing samples helps ensure the integrity of the sample and the reliability of test results, which is essential in clinical settings for effective patient diagnosis and management.