Laboratory Specimen Rejection in Affecting Quality of Patient Care in Healthcare Services : a Retrospective Cohort Study in Hospital Bentong

Abstract

Background: Pre-Analytical errors during blood specimen taking & specimen handling may cause specimen rejection at laboratory. A specimen that is judged by the pathology department as not fit for Laboratory analysis should be rejected & resampling should be taken. Rejection of specimen may affect the overall quality of healthcare services as the rejection will delay patient treatment, increase in cost & increase workload of healthcare workers of both laboratory & non laboratory personnel. Aim & Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the various factors contributing to sample rejection & the impact in patient care in Hospital Bentong. Materials & Methods: The data & cause of the rejected samples from January – December 2022 were extracted from Laboratory Information System (LIS, Chemolims) which is integrated to Hospital Information System (HIS, Sistem Pengurusan Pesakit). Conclusion: Rate of laboratory rejection sample was increasing in trend in year 2022. Rejection due to clots & hemolysis were the major causes identified where 44.81 % & 36.24 % respectively among the total rejected sample in Hospital Bentong.