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Hemolysis releases intracellular contents (e.g., potassium, LDH, AST, hemoglobin) into the serum/plasma, producing falsely elevated or decreased results depending on the analyte and method. A frequent preanalytical cause is mechanical trauma: forcing blood through too small a gauge, pulling back the plunger forcefully, or pushing blood through a needle into the tube. Additional contributors include vigorous shaking instead of gentle inversion, prolonged tourniquet time, drawing from a hematoma, or alcohol not drying before puncture. ASCP-aligned objectives stress minimizing physical stress on erythrocytes: select an appropriate needle gauge (commonly 21–22 for routine adult venipuncture), avoid syringes unless clinically indicated, allow alcohol to dry, release the tourniquet within one minute, and avoid drawing through indwelling lines unless properly flushed and per policy. After collection, let serum tubes clot completely before centrifugation; spinning too soon or at incorrect settings can increase hemolysis. Visual inspection (icteric/lipemic/hemolyzed) and analyzer indices help flag compromised specimens. Preventing hemolysis improves result reliability, reduces recollections, and supports patient-centered care.