Long Term Storage of Hemoglobin Control for Automated Hemoglobin Typing

Abstract

Due to the short shelf-life of hemoglobin control using in quality control of automated hemoglobin typing analysis, the expense of test was increased. This research evaluated the methods of control storage in order to extend the short shelf-life while the quality was still acceptable. Two storage methods were compared, at 2-8°C followed the manufacture’s manual and at -20°C in aliquot. The controls with different storage conditions were used as control reagent as usual for 14 months and the percentage of HbF and HbA₂ were compared. The results showed that the controls can be used with acceptability up to 12 months for those stored at -20°C but only 21 day for those stored at 2-8°C. Storage of the controls at -20°C can extend the shelf-life to at least 1 year and reduce the cost at least 17 fold with the acceptable quality. The shelf-life can be varied due to many factors. Laboratories should establish their own mean and standard deviation of the control stored with this long term storage condition.