RT Journal Article
T1 Preanalytical mistakes in samples from primary care patients.
A1 Romero Ruiz, Adolfo
A1 Cobos Díaz, Andrés
A1 López-León, Ana
A1 Ortega, Germán
A1 Muñoz, Manuel
K1 Blood sampling
K1 Mistake detection
K1 Preanalytical mistakes
K1 Primary health care
K1 Errores Diagnósticos
K1 Pruebas de Química Clínica
K1 Atención Primaria de Salud
K1 Humanos
AB BACKGROUNDPreanalytical mistakes (PAMs) in samples usually led to rejection upon arrival to the clinical laboratory. However, PAMs might not always be detected and result in clinical problems. Thus, PAMs should be minimized. We detected PAMs in samples from Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) served by our central laboratory. Thus, the goal of this study was to describe the number and types of PAMs, and to suggest some strategies for improvement.METHODSThe presence of PAMs, as sample rejection criteria, in samples submitted from PHCC to our laboratory during October and November 2007 was retrospectively analysed.RESULTSOverall, 3885 PAMs (7.4%) were detected from 52,669 samples for blood analyses. This included missed samples (n=1763; 45.4% of all PAMs, 3.3% of all samples), haemolysed samples (n=1408; 36.2% and 2.7%, respectively), coagulated samples (n=391; 10% and 0.7%, respectively), incorrect sample volume (n=110; 2.8% and 0.2%, respectively), and others (n=213; 5.5% and 0.4%, respectively). For urine samples (n=18,852), 1567 of the samples were missing (8.3%).CONCLUSIONSWe found the proportion of PAMs in blood and urine samples to be 3-fold higher than that reported in the literature. Therefore, strategies for improvement directed towards the staff involved, as well as an exhaustive audit of preanalytical process are needed. To attain this goal, we first implemented a continued education programme, financed by our Regional Health Service and focused in Primary Care Nurses.
PB Walter de Gruyter
SN 1434-6621
YR 2009
FD 2009-11-24
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/751
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/751
LA en
NO Romero Ruiz A, Cobos Díaz A, López-León A, Ortega G, Muñoz M. Preanalytical mistakes in samples from primary care patients. Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 2009; 47(12):1549-1552
NO Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
DS RISalud
RD Apr 7, 2025