Pre-analytical errors in the phlebotomy process in a national hospital in Lima

Abstract

Errors in the clinical laboratory are very frequent, most of which are mostly during the pre-analytical phase. That is why this research work proposes the identification of pre-analytical errors in the external office area of the Dos de Mayo National Hospital. To do this, a form was applied, filled out by the researcher at the time of supervision of the sampling. The instrument was validated by the joint recommendations of the EFLM-COLABIOCLI (European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine) and the Latin American Working Group of the Pre-Analytical Phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry. It was obtained as a result, among the most outstanding, that more than 90% of the patient was not recommended to rest for 5 minutes at the end of the phlebotomy, 80% did not register the identity of the phlebotomist in the request for examinations, in 40% there was a poor homogenization of the tubes, about 12% did not instruct the patient to apply pressure at the extraction site and 10% the barcode was not labeled in the presence of the tubes of the patient. It is concluded that the sampling personnel, phlebotomists, should follow the established standards and reinforce the previous knowledge through continuous supervision by the health personnel and pathologist.