Types and frequency of laboratory errors in Sawanpracharak hospital, Nakornsawan province: One year after laboratory accreditation

Abstract

Since laboratory tests provide essential information for physicians to make medical decisions for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the patient’s condition, we evaluated the types and frequency of errors in our in-patient department of clinical pathology laboratory during Mar 2008-February 2009 after laboratory accreditation. Among a total of 314,400 specimens, we identified 2,720 errors, a relative frequency of 0.86% or 1 in 116 samples. The distribution errors were pre-analytical phase 86.76%, analytical phase 5.33%, and post-analytical phase 7.90%. Most of pre-analytical errors were subjected to transcription in writing requests and inappropriate specimen collection, respectively. Although the errors did not cause any impact on patient safety, the samples may need to be collected again to repeat analysis, inconvenient for the patient, delaying treatment and increasing the cost. These data were valuable for more concerning in develop and improve standard operation procedure in order to prevent any errors that may occur. Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2010; 43: 70-76.

Keywords

• laboratory errors
• laboratory process
• pre-analytical error