Patient serum/plasma sample resistivity for electrolyte result verification

Abstract

Verification of patient sample electrolyte results using a separate quantitative measurement of sample resistivity. Sample resistivity may be used to measure small differences in resistivity of one sample to the next, and in comparison to a standard solution, in order to verify the results of sample electrolyte measurements being measured at the same time by, for example, individual ion selective electrodes (ISE) in a clinical analyzer. Providing a separate or secondary quantitative means for verification of the measured results of sample electrolytes using sample resistivity solves the problem of electrolyte result variability in sample electrolyte measurements. The process may compare a measured sample resistivity to an expected resistivity value as a verification of the accuracy of individual electrolyte results. Suspect samples—e.g., where the electrolyte resistivity results do not fit the expected resistivity—may be flagged. This separate verification step provides added confidence in the measured electrolyte results and can identify when problems occur or interferences are present in real time.