PRE-ANALYTICAL ERRORS IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Milav Bhavsar; Hardik Javia; Chaitanya Chinawale; Nishant Bhimani; Rita Shah

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

PRE-ANALYTICAL ERRORS IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Milav Bhavsar, Hardik Javia, Chaitanya Chinawale, Nishant Bhimani, Rita Shah

Abstract :

Background:Sample testing in laboratory requires skills where errors can occur at any stage, i.e., pre–analytical, analytical and post–analytical phase.This leads to a misdiagnosis or mismanagement and represent a serious hazard for patient health. Current evidences demonstrate that the pre–analyticalphase testing process is more error–prone than other phases. Present study focuses on the pre–analytical phase, with the aim to calculate rate of these errors at tertiary care hospital.

Methods:The samples received for clinical chemistry were 33679 in a duration of 6 months. Samples were screened for errors in three phases of laboratory testing (pre–analytical, analytical and post–analytical). Out of three phase, data on specimen and handling variables of pre–analytical errors was collected. Only routine clinical chemistry samples data after considering exclusion criteria was included in study.

Results:The total number of samples that were having pre–analytical errors were 354 which was greater than other types of errors. Hemolysis (10.7%) and lipemia (12.4%) contributed to major part of sample rejection in samples with pre–analytical errors. Hemolysis and lipemia had positive correlation with derangements in results of samples with errors (p<0.05). Information available with sample like request form details, clinical information, etc. was also correlated to erroneous samples.

Conclusion:The present study shows that there is definite correlation between pre–analytical errors and erroneous laboratory results. There is urgent need to control this phase of laboratory testing process. Adoption of suitable strategies for prevention can overcomethis situation. Enrolling for various accreditation programmes by laboratories can minimize these errors.