Evaluation of temperature and time incubation effects on CBC tests.

Background: Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common test that physicians usually request. The results of this test are affected by deferent factor such as the temperature and time of incubation. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluation of changes on CBC at room temperature (RT). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 32 K2 EDTA (Dipotasium ethylenediamine tetra acetate) anticoagulated blood specimens were processed for CBC after blood taking and after 24 hours incubation at RT. Specimens were selected from routine laboratory work-load. Results: Among the CBC parameters [ WBC, RBC, Plt, Hb and Hct], there were not significant difference between WBC, Plt and Hb before and after incubation at RT (p>0.05). There were significant difference between RBC and Hct before and after incubation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The finding of this study shown that some of CBC parameters can be change after incubation at RT. So that, it is better to do the CBC tests after blood taking.

CBC, WBC (Wight Blood Cell), RBC (Red Blood Cell), Plt (Platelet counts), Hb (Hemoglobin) and Hct (Hematocrit), incubation