Correction of factitious hyperkalemia in hemolyzed specimens

A reliable correction factor for factitious hyperkalemia in a clinically relevant range exists. By example, using the above correction factor, one can predict that the delta K+ in a specimen with 500 mg/dL of p-Hgb will be 1.6 mEq/L (range, 1.5-1.7). We suggest that when the lower bound of the predicted delta K+ results in a corrected value within the reference range, a second blood draw is unnecessary.