Effect of changes in laboratory light intensity on biochemistry and haemogram analysis

Abstract

Background: To investigate the effect of changes in laboratory light intensity on chemistry and whole blood analysis.

Materials and Methods: The light intensity of the laboratory environment was measured and chemical and whole blood analysis was performed on 20 patient blood samples. The light intensity was then increased using projectors and re-measured, and the chemical and whole blood analyses were repeated. The values of the tests pre- and post-light increase were compared by statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test.

Results: Increasing light from 195 to 1,168 lux significantly altered the results of the lipase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and iron chemistry tests, (p<0.001 [11.3%], p=0.003 [2.2%], p=0.001 [2%] and p=<0.001 [1.2%], respectively). There was also a significant difference in platelet count (p=<0.001 [188%]).

Conclusions: We show that the platelet count is sensitive to changes in laboratory light intensity at clinically unacceptable levels. The lipase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and iron tests are also sensitive to changes in laboratory light intensity, but at clinically acceptable levels.