Evaluation of errors in a clinical laboratory: a one-year experience

TLDR

Efficient laboratory service is essential to modern health care, yet errors—preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical—continue to occur despite scientific advances. The study examined 67,438 routine venous blood samples over one year in a Delhi clinical biochemistry laboratory to document error frequencies. Preanalytical errors dominated (77.1%), followed by postanalytical (15%) and analytical (7.9%) errors, underscoring the need for proper venipuncture, analytical skill, accurate data entry, and inter‑departmental collaboration. Published in Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:63–6.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Efficient laboratory service is the cornerstone of modern health care systems. Scientific innovations have contributed to substantial improvements in the field of laboratory science, but errors still prevail. These errors are classified as preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical, depending upon the time of presentation. Methods: The data for 67,438 routine venous blood specimens were scrutinized, and errors were documented over the period of 1 year in the clinical biochemistry laboratory of Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital in Delhi, India. Results: Preanalytical errors were most common, with a frequency of 77.1% followed by postanalytical 15% and analytical 7.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Our study illustrates the importance of proper venipuncture procedures, analytical expertise and correct transcription of numerical data for precise and accurate reporting of results to clinicians. There is an urgent need for close inter-departmental cooperation to meet the goal of ensuring patient well being. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:63–6.