Monitoring and Eliminating Pre-Analytic Laboratory Errors in an Acute Care Setup - A Case Study

Laboratory investigations are an integral part of patient management. The number and frequency of investigations are directly related to the clinical seriousness of a patient. Hence acute care setups observe a high volume as well as frequency of sampling for laboratory analyses. Many management plans are dependent on the results of these investigations. So, there is also pressure on the pathology laboratory to provide the results as early as possible. The whole process of lab investigation requires ordering an investigation, sending the requisition/system indenture, sampling, transporting sample to the lab, analysing, result approval and sending/uploading the report. Well-planned, tried, and tested standards/ protocols must be in place in order to eliminate the probability of errors in investigation reports. Laboratories must work according to some set specifications in order to process the samples in an error free manner. This paper will analyse the procedural steps, scope of errors and steps to identify, report as well as rectify the errors in the <i>pre-analytical phase</i> of laboratory investigations in a highly demanding and accident-prone acute care setup. The aim of this exercise is to improve the quality of lab reporting process with an objective to eliminate pre analytic laboratory errors.