What are the appropriate storage conditions for blood specimens?

The appropriate storage conditions for blood specimens are best described as maintaining them at room temperature or under refrigeration. Blood specimens are sensitive to temperature changes, and their stability can be affected by improper storage conditions.

When storing blood specimens, keeping them at room temperature (typically around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius) is acceptable for short-term storage and processing. However, for longer-term storage or to preserve the integrity of certain analytes, refrigeration at about 2 to 8 degrees Celsius is recommended. This helps prevent the breakdown of cells and analytes that can occur at elevated temperatures, ensuring reliable test results.

Other storage conditions, such as exposing specimens to room light or storing them in high temperatures, can lead to degradation or altered laboratory results, making those options unsuitable for proper blood specimen management. Therefore, the combination of both room temperature and refrigeration provides a flexible yet safe approach to specimen storage.