Abstract

Background: Pre-analytical errors account for up to 70% of all the errors made in laboratory diagnostics which are mostly not directly under laboratory control. Laboratories across the world have been using different Quality indicators (QIs) for identifying and quantification of pre-analytical errors. Objective of the present study is to identify the different pre-analytical errors with their frequency and to assess the pre-analytical phase performance of emergency laboratory by using harmonized Quality Indicators and six sigma metrics. Methods and material: A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 to monitor the inappropriateness of samples and test request forms. We have quantified the performance of pre-analytical phase of our emergency laboratory based on the harmonized QIs proposed by The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Working Group on Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety (IFCC- WGLEPS) and six sigma metrics. Results: Emergency laboratory received a total of 55431 samples during Jan- 2019 to Dec- 2019. Number of pre-analytical errors were 1089 which accounted for 1.96% of total samples received. Haemolysed samples, clotted samples and samples with insufficient volume were contributed to 37%, 26% and 15% of the total pre-analytical errors respectively. Conclusions: Pre-analytical phase performance of our emergency laboratory complies with the quality specifications laid by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Working Group on Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety (IFCC-WGLEPS). Implementation of harmonised QIs assures the comparability of laboratory findings with different laboratories across the world.

Highlights

  • Implementation of harmonised Quality indicators (QIs) assures the comparability of laboratory findings with different laboratories across the world

  • Quality in laboratory medicine should be defined as the guarantee that each and every step in the total testing process (TTP) is correctly performed, assuring valuable medical decision-making and effective patient care [1]

  • Pre-analytical errors account for up to 70% of all the errors made in laboratory diagnostics

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Summary

Introduction

Quality in laboratory medicine should be defined as the guarantee that each and every step in the total testing process (TTP) is correctly performed, assuring valuable medical decision-making and effective patient care [1]. Pre-analytical errors account for up to 70% of all the errors made in laboratory diagnostics. Most of these are related to, patient preparation, patient identification, sample collection, transportation and storage [4]. These pre-analytical phase procedures of testing process are performed outside the laboratory and are not under direct control of the laboratory. Laboratories across the world have been using different Quality indicators (QIs) for identifying and quantification of pre-analytical errors. Objective of the present study is to identify the different pre-analytical errors with their frequency and to assess the pre-analytical phase performance of emergency laboratory by using harmonized Quality Indicators and six sigma metrics

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