What type of error is suggested by the finding that triglyceride levels are abnormally high when the test follows a lipase measurement?

The finding that triglyceride levels are abnormally high after a lipase measurement suggests an issue related to reagent carryover. In laboratory testing, carryover happens when remnants of a previous sample or reagent contaminate the next sample being tested. When triglycerides are measured right after a lipase measurement, the high levels of triglycerides observed could indicate that lipase from the prior test contributed to the elevation in the subsequent test results. This is particularly likely if the testing systems do not adequately wash or clear previous samples between tests, leading to inaccuracies demonstrated by artificially high triglyceride readings.

In this context, carryover errors can be problematic because they may not reflect the true concentration of the analyte in the tested sample. It highlights the need for appropriate washing procedures and equipment design to prevent contamination, ensuring accurate test results. Understanding this is essential for laboratory quality control and can impact patient diagnoses and treatment decisions.