What is the recommended storage time for normal hematology slides?

The recommended storage time for normal hematology slides is indeed one week. This timeframe allows for the examination of the slides while maintaining their quality and integrity for diagnostic purposes. Within this duration, the morphological characteristics of blood cells, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis, are preserved.

Storage beyond this period may degrade the quality of the slides, impacting the interpretation of results. Elements such as humidity, temperature, and light exposure can alter the cellular morphology, leading to potential misdiagnoses if the slides are stored for too long. Therefore, adhering to the one-week guideline ensures that slides remain suitable for analysis while balancing practical laboratory workflow.

The other options suggest time frames that are either too short or excessively long for the reliable storage of hematology slides. A duration of 48 hours may be too brief for laboratories that experience delays in testing or reviews, while 10 years or indefinite storage would compromise the quality of the slides beyond a reasonable time for reliable diagnostic evaluation.