Objectives: With the Department of Laboratory Services of the Ministry of Health entering into force
with the general rule no. 2017/12, corrective actions were taken in the preanalytical, analytical and
postanalytical processes related to the regulation of ethanol in the hospital and laboratory. The aim of
this study is to evaluate the effect of changes in the preanalytical process determined by the circular on
the sample acceptance / rejection rates in addition to the safety of the forensic sample.
Materials and Methods: After the circular, a locked bag was prepared for the transport of the
requested samples of ethanol test. From July, before the circular, the retroactive 7 months period
between 01.01.2017 - 01.08.2017, after the circular, the ethanol test reject statistic was scanned
retrospectively from September, 01.09.2017 - 01.04.2018 over the laboratory information system.
Results: In the period before the circular; hemolysis rate, number: 1.003%, 16. After the circular
hemolyzed sample rate, number: 2.766%, 41. The hemolyzed sample rate and number were found to
increase significantly (p <0.05).
Conclusions: Ethanol sample rejection rates have increased. Nevertheless, it is positive that the
awareness of forensic samples is improved for laboratory workers according to result of corrective
actions taken after issue a circular letter. The follow-up may training and field application studies can be
conducted to increase the awareness of the clinicians who manage the test orders in the preanalytical
process and the nurses working in the blood collection unit.