CD-ROM contains WHO regulations and recommendations. Compilation of findings from the literature and those obtained in practice on the use of anti coagulants and provides a list of analytes containing the available data on reference intervals, biological hal-life times, stability and influence and interference factors.

One CD-ROM in pocket attached to inside back cover entitled The quality of diagnostic samples.

The importance of the preanalytical phase --5 -- Biological Influences -- Something unavoidable -- Influences of age, gender, race and pregnancy -- 6 -- Changing habits -- Influences that can vary (diet, starvation, exercise, altitude) -- 8 -- May I take a coffee, smoke or drink before blood sampling -- Stimulants and addictive drugs as biological influence factors -- 12 -- Collection of Specimen -- When to test? -- Timing of sampling -- 14 -- Sampling during infusion therapy? -- The impact of the sequence of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures -- 16 -- Sampling in the supine or upright position? -- Effects of posture and tourniquet -- 18 -- What site for sampling blood? -- Phlebotomy, arterial puncture and sampling from catheters -- 20 -- Blood from the skin -- Capillary sampling -- 22 -- Did the lab mix up my sample? -- Techniques of sample identification -- 24 -- A precious sample -- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) -- 26 -- A sample that is nearly always available -- Urine and saliva as diagnostic probes -- 28 -- Plasma or serum? -- Differences to be considered -- 32 -- Take a lavender tube! -- Additives and colour codes -- 34 -- Transport and Storage -- Fax me a sample -- Effects of time and temperature during transport -- 36 -- Samples in transit -- Legal standardization for mailing samples -- 38 -- How to keep a sample "fresh" -- Storage of samples in the laboratory -- 40 -- Preparation of Samples for Analysis -- What's has to be done on specimen arrival? -- Specimen processing, centrifugation, distribution -- 42 -- Continuous or batchwise? -- Preanalytical workflow and robotics -- 44 -- Safety aspects during the preanalytical phase -- Disposal of specimens, needles, tubes and chemicals -- 46 -- Special Aspects with each Analyte -- What is needed before blood transfusion? -- Special aspects in immunohaematology -- 50 -- Why a special tube for coagulation tests? -- Special aspects in haemostasiology -- 52 -- Blood cells are sensitive! -- Special aspects in haematological analysis -- 54 -- Everything from a drop of blood? -- Special aspects in clinical chemistry -- 56 -- Special tubes for hormones? -- Preanalytical factors in immunoassays -- 58 -- Blood cells can provide important information -- Special aspects in cellular analysis -- 60 -- How to handle genes -- Special aspects in molecular biology -- 62 -- When gases evaporate -- Special aspects for blood gases and ionized calcium -- 66 -- The right time for drugs ... -- Special aspects in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) -- 68 -- Bacteria and viruses -- Special aspects in microbiology -- 72 -- Endogenous and Exogenous Interferences -- Can turbid samples be used? -- Effects of lipemia -- 76 -- A difficult case -- Pitfalls with endogenous antibodies -- 78 -- The serum sample looks reddish -- Effects of haemolysis -- 80 -- Does the laboratory have to know all my drugs? -- Mechanisms and treatment of drug interference -- 82 -- Everything under control? -- Quality assurance in the preanalytical phase -- 84 -- Annex The Quality of Diagnostic Samples CD-Rom -- Serum, Plasma or Whole Blood? Which Anticoagulants to Use? -- The optimal sample volume -- Analyte stability in sample matrix -- The haemolytic, icteric and lipemic sample -- Samples and stability of analytes in blood, urine and CSF.