A study of adequacy of completion of clinical biochemistry laboratory request forms

Abstract

Background: Laboratory request forms are essential communication tool between the clinicians and laboratory personnel. In view of the meagerness of studies exploring request forms as a part of preanalytical errors, we planned to evaluate the request forms received at the clinical biochemistry laboratory. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the details of laboratory request forms that had been submitted to biochemistry department. Materials and Methods: This lab audit was carried out at the clinical biochemistry laboratory of a tertiary care teaching hospital. The forms Laboratory request forms were segregated to evaluate the extent of completion of each form, completion of the columns, legibility of the clinician`s handwriting. The results were expressed in percentages. Results: A total of three thousand and fifty (3050) request forms were analyzed. The location of the patient and referring department were missing in 35.3% and 29.4% of the forms respectively. Provisional diagnosis was provided only in 53.3% of the request forms. Conclusion: This study concludes that the location of the patient, probable diagnosis, medical officer`s signature had not been entered in the request forms. As laboratory plays a crucial role in the patient diagnosis, incomplete data in the request form might significantly affects the lab service which in turn affects the patient’s health care system. The standard of filling of laboratory request forms needs to improve to provide a high quality lab service.