Identification of Pre-examination Errors in the Chemical Pathology Laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Abstract

This study evaluated the types and frequencies of pre-examination errors recorded in the chemical pathology laboratory at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. This was a retrospective analysis of errors recorded over a three year period. Data analysis was done on an average of 519,084 samples collected and tested per year. Samples included blood, urine, stool and other fluids. Pre-examination errors were identified and recorded following visual inspection of the samples and corresponding request forms by laboratory staff, then subsequently by the Senior Medical Technologist. Errors were generally classified as inappropriate sample (58%), inappropriate form (23.4%), inappropriate sample volume (9.3%) and inappropriate sample tube (9.3%). Over 90% of recorded pre-examination errors were related to blood samples while urine samples accounted for 6.8% error. Pre-examination errors were lower at this study location than elsewhere. Measures aimed at reducing instances of these errors are recommended for improved laboratory quality output.