Study of appropriateness of laboratory reports for clinical hematology in China

Abstract

Objective To investigate the status of report appropriateness in Clinical Hematology and to identify its potential influence factors to improve the quality of laboratory reports. Methods 1 120 National External Quality Assessment(EQA) participants laboratories were enrolled in this study. The questionnaires were assigned to all the participants in both electronic and printed form. The participants were asked to retrospectively count the total reports and the affected reports while the following quality indicators occurred in 2012: report delay, inconformity of data between instrument and LIS as well as between report and request erroneous report transportation, report recall, and report modification. All quality indicators were evaluated in two ways: percentage and sigma (σ) scale. Mann-Whitney Test and Kruskal-Wallis Test were used to analyze the potential impacts of report appropriateness. Results Totally 609 (54.38%)laboratories submitted the survey results. The sigma metrics of six quality indicators on report appropriateness were more than 4. The main reason for report delay was equipment failure. Group comparison suggested that the report appropriateness of laboratories in tertiary-A hospitals and accredited by ISO 15189 werebetter. Report appropriateness with electronic request, electronic form and electronic transmission were superior than that inother ways. Conclusions Report appropriateness in China differs from laboratory to laboratory. Laboratories should develop emergency action plan in case the instrument breaks down and strengthen information technology. Long-term internal quality control and external quality assessment scheme are very meaningful to identify the insufficient performance and improve laboratory quality. (Chin J Lab Med, 2015, 38: 632-636) Key words: Hematologic tests; Quality control; Laboratories, hospital; Laboratory proficiency testing; Clinical laboratory information systems