Gómez-Salgado, JuanRomero, AdolfoCobos, AndrésCaparrós, Isabel SGómez-Fernández, José AntonioDomínguez, José AndrésRuiz-Frutos, Carlos2016-08-102016-08-102014-04Gómez-Salgado J, Romero A, Cobos A, Caparrós IS, Gómez-Fernández JA, Domínguez JA, et al. Preanalytical errors: the professionals' perspective. Clin. Chem. Lab. Med.. 2014; 52(4):e53-51434-6621http://hdl.handle.net/10668/2356This study was aimed at understanding the perspective on preanalytical errors from the point of view of the professionals involved in the preanalytical process. A significant contribution of their specialized knowledge and experience in day-to-day practice for identifying these kinds of mistakes, and their most frequent causes, was expected.It seems evident that weaknesses and threats are closely related to institutional organization aspects and the same is true for positive elements (strengths and opportunities). There is also an important appreciation of the staff’s implication. Staff´s opinions should be taken into account by institution managers, as they offer an approach that is different and complementary to the one traditionally applied, which is purely managerial and therefore not sufficient. The results should be complemented with more updated information. Multidisciplinary cooperation must involve not only professionals from different fields but also with different roles, i.e., managers, in order to obtain results that can be used to improve healthcare, save costs and to guarantee patient’s safety. We will continue with this research line investigating the same questions among primary care staff, in order to assess “the other side of the coin” of this problem.enHealthcare managementOpportunity and threats (SWOT)Patient safetyPreanalytical errorsQualitative analysisStrengthsWeaknessErrores diagnósticosManejo de especímenesActitud del personal de saludControl de calidadMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Diagnosis::Diagnostic ErrorsMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Technology, Industry, Agriculture::Technology, Industry, and Agriculture::Technology::Quality ControlMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Diagnosis::Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures::Clinical Laboratory Techniques::Specimen HandlingMedical Subject Headings::Psychiatry and Psychology::Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms::Attitude::Attitude of Health Personnelletter24280286open access10.1515/cclm-2013-09301437-4331