Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Salicylate

Suitable Specimen Types

EDTA Plasma Li Hep Plasma Serum

Salicylate

Specimen Volume

1 mL blood

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

4 ºC

General Information

Salicylates are ubiquitous agents found in hundreds of over-the-counter medications and in numerous prescription drugs, making salicylate toxicity an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Salicylate is used as an analgesic agent for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. The most common salicylate preparation is known as Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Aspirin is used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of soft tissue and joint inflammation and vasculitides such as acute rheumatic fever and Kawasaki disease. The product is an antipyretic drug. Low-dose aspirin helps to prevent thrombosis.

Salicylate poisoning is a potentially life threatening condition which is characterised by extreme acid-base disturbances, electrolyte disturbances and decreasing level of consciousness. There is a wide variation in the clinical spectrum of toxicity. There are differences between acute and chronic toxicity and a varying clinical picture which is dependent on the age of the patient and renal function.

 

 

Patient Preparation

None

Reference Range

Not applicable (use in overdose only)

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

https://pinboard.in/u:duty_biochemist/t:Salicylates/

Related Tests

Calcium (adjusted) Creatinine Glucose (Plasma) Paracetamol Potassium (serum) Sodium

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Thursday, 24 May 2018

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962