{"id":9566,"date":"2025-04-30T03:09:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T00:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9566"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:54:31","slug":"the-accuracy-of-laboratory-analyses-is-a-key-factor-in-the-reliability-of-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/the-accuracy-of-laboratory-analyses-is-a-key-factor-in-the-reliability-of-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Accuracy of laboratory tests: what determines the reliability of the results"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is test accuracy and why is it important?<\/h2>\n

The accuracy of laboratory tests is the degree to which the obtained result corresponds to the real state of the body. For the patient, this means that based on the results of the analysis, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis, choose the optimal treatment and avoid incorrect prescriptions. An error of even a few units can affect the clinical decision, especially when testing hormones, tumor markers, glucose levels or coagulation parameters.<\/p>\n

Main factors affecting accuracy<\/h2>\n

1. Patient preparation<\/h3>\n

Failure to follow the recommendations before taking the test is one of the main reasons for unreliable results. For example, consuming food, caffeine, or alcohol, physical activity<\/a> or stress before the test can change the biochemical composition of the blood or hormonal background.<\/p>\n

2. Quality of biomaterial collection<\/h3>\n

Poor blood collection or improper transportation of urine or swabs can cause hemolysis, bacterial contamination, or sample loss, which reduces the accuracy of the test or renders it unusable.<\/p>\n

3. Laboratory equipment<\/h3>\n

Modern automated equipment has a high level of sensitivity and repeatability of results. However, even in the best laboratory, regular calibration of instruments and participation in an external quality control system (for example, CAP or RIQAS programs) are important.<\/p>\n

4. Human factor<\/h3>\n

Laboratory errors, program failures, and misinterpretation of results can all have consequences. That's why leading laboratories are implementing multi-stage control of results and double reading for complex diagnoses.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Comparison table: factors affecting the accuracy of analyses<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Factor<\/th>\nExample of influence<\/th>\nRecommendations for avoiding errors<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Eating<\/td>\nIncreased glucose, cholesterol<\/a>, triglycerides<\/td>\nSurrender fasting blood tests<\/a> (8\u201312 hours)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Physical activity<\/td>\nIncreased creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin<\/td>\nAvoid activity the day before the test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stress<\/td>\nChange in cortisol and adrenaline levels<\/td>\nRest before the test, don't be nervous<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alcohol<\/a><\/td>\nDistortion of liver function tests<\/td>\nAbstain from alcohol for at least 48 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medicine<\/td>\nAffects clotting, hormones, enzymes<\/td>\nTell your doctor about all medications you are taking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insufficient amount of biomaterial<\/td>\nImpossibility of re-examination<\/td>\nFollow the volume and laboratory instructions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How laboratories increase reliability<\/h2>\n