The Frequency and Types of Pre-Analytical Errors in Hematology Laboratory for Two Large Academic Hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: The pre-analytical phase, the most critical phase in quality assurance, accounts for the largest portion of laboratory errors, underscoring the importance of accurate processing and minimizing these errors in the laboratory. Our study was designed to retrospectively examine the types and frequencies of pre-analytical errors in the hematology laboratories of two large academic hospitals. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the hematology laboratories of two academic hospitals, collecting and analyzing data over a defined period. This research specifically focused on pre-analytical variables and encompassed both inpatient and outpatient departments. Results: A total of 195161 samples were received in the hematology laboratory during this period. Overall, pre-analytical errors were found in 887 samples, which composed 0.45% of the total samples. The most common error in both mentioned hospitals was clotted complete blood count (655/195161, 0.33%). The wrong container for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate test has the lowest number of errors (3/195161, 0.001%). Conclusions: Pre-analytical errors, despite their simplicity, continue to be repeated. The most important principle in preventing these types of errors seems to be sufficient knowledge and accuracy. It is essential to continually train and adhere to standards and principles to prevent errors during the pre-analytical stage and maintain control over this stage.