What is one common cause of hemolysis in blood samples?

Excessive milking is a common cause of hemolysis in blood samples because it involves squeezing or massaging the puncture site too forcefully in an attempt to increase blood flow. This action can rupture the red blood cells, leading to hemolysis, which is the breakdown of these cells. When red blood cells rupture, hemoglobin is released into the plasma, resulting in a reddish tint to the serum or plasma, which may interfere with laboratory tests.

While puncturing the skin or collecting blood inappropriately can lead to hemolysis, the action of excessive milking significantly increases the risk by introducing mechanical stress to the cells. Understanding this helps phlebotomists prioritize gentle techniques during blood collection to preserve the integrity of the sample for accurate laboratory results.