Study on "Pre-analytical Errors in a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory:" The Hidden Flaws in Total Testing

Abstract

Aim of the study: The aim and objective of the present study was, to enumerate and evaluate different types of pre-analytical errors in the clinical biochemistry laboratory and to compare the frequency of errors in the pre-analytical phase of testing before and after training the technical staff posted in the clinical biochemistry laboratory. Materials and methods: A prospective Study was conducted at Dept. of Biochemistry, CIMS, Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care hospital cum medical college in Bilaspur for the period of 4 months from August 2016 to December 2016. During this period, different types of pre-analytical errors were monitored. Results: Of the 19,411 samples received during the study period, 670 samples were found to be unsuitable for testing, accounting for 3.45% of the rejection. All these samples were rejected due to different types of pre-analytical errors that are due to wrong identification (0.26%), missing samples (0.05%), draw from IV site (0.07%), inadequate samples (1.02%), wrong timing of sample collection (0.06%), hemolysed samples (1.83%) and lipemic samples (0.28%). Conclusion: Of all the samples received in the clinical biochemistry laboratory, the overall percentage of rejection is 3.45%. We also found that, there was reduction in the frequency of errors before and after training the staff.