A Retrospective Analysis of Corrected Laboratory Results in a Large Academic Medical Center.

Abstract

To evaluate the total number of corrected laboratory results that occurred as a consequence of errors in the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases of testing and to identify areas for improvement in patient care. Revised laboratory results were retroactively reviewed for a 6-month period. The total number of revised results were categorized by department and the phase in which the resulting error occurred. Of 1,278,783 reportable tests, a total of 156 revisions were noted. Errors were predominately observed in the postanalytical phase of testing; 57.69% (n = 156) of all revisions were called and documented to a care provider. Monitoring revised laboratory results is an important quality indicator that helps to identify areas within the laboratory that warrant improvement. Education, training, and ongoing process improvement initiatives are essential parts of a laboratory's quality management system in order to limit the total number of future revisions.