Laboratory Errors: Types and Frequency in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh

Authors

  • Nasreen Chowdhury Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College, Chittagong
  • Md Ibrahim Cosultant, Department of Biochemistry, Appollo Hospitals, Dhaka
  • Md Aminul Haque Khan Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Enam Medical College, Savar, Dhaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v33i1.27991

Keywords:

Preanalytical, Analytical, Postanalytical, Transcription errors

Abstract

Introduction: In our country, very few of clinical laboratories are running proper quality control program and to the best of our knowledge the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical rates of laboratory errors have not been studied extensively. In this study we evaluated the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical components of laboratory errors in 3,200 consecutive specimens of a clinical chemistry laboratory in a tertiary hospital for measurement of different analyte concentrations in plasma or serum. Materials and methods: This study was conducted during the period from June 2009 to July 2010 on 3,200 specimens. Analytical errors were detected by repeat analysis of primary sample and by checking quality control. Results: The numbers of preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical errors were 23, 14 and 76 respectively among 32000 tests that we have done on 3,200 specimens (average 10 tests per specimen). Moreover, the causes of errors were analyzed and it was found that preanalytical errors were mostly due to specimen drawn distal to IV infusion, specimen for potassium first drawn into GREY tube (containing sodium fluoride and K EDTA) and then transferred into GREEN tube, long tourniquet time and underfilling of blood collection tube. The analytical errors were due to random and systemic errors and postanalytical errors were due to transcription errors. Conclusion: Results of our study suggest that errors mostly occur in the postanalytical part of testing and they are due to transcription errors. To reduce the laboratory errors we suggest introduction of Laboratory Information System (LIS) of the clinical laboratories connected with Hospital Management System along with stringent quality control program in preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical stages.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2015; 33(1): 3-6

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
57
PDF
82

Author Biography

Nasreen Chowdhury, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College, Chittagong



Downloads

Published

2016-06-05

How to Cite

Chowdhury, N., Ibrahim, M., & Khan, M. A. H. (2016). Laboratory Errors: Types and Frequency in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh. Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, 33(1), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v33i1.27991

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

License

Submission of a manuscript for publication implies the transfer of the copyright from the author to the publisher upon acceptance. Accepted manuscripts become the permanent property of the Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons and may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher.

No part of the materials published in this journal may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. Reprints of any article in the Journal will be available from the publisher.