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Abstract

A method and device for detecting the presence of hemolysis, icteris and lipemia in a serum sample are provided herein. The method includes the steps of positioning a probe inlet of a probe in a sample container, aspiring at least a portion of the serum sample into a probe lumen of the probe from the sample container, and monitoring the serum sample in a probe lumen to determine whether hemolysis, icteris and lipemia are present in the serum sample. The serum sample is monitored with a detector which performs spectrophotometric analysis of the serum sample in the probe lumen through a substantially transparent section of the probe. From the spectrophotometric analysis, a hemolytic index, an icteric index and a lipemic index of the serum sample can be established. Based upon these serum indices, the serum sample can be transferred to a clinical analyzer for additional tests or can be disposed of because the sample is compromised.

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