A study of pre-analytical variables and quality improvement in testing process of clinical laboratory

• Author Details:   
• Mahantesh Patil
• Meera S

---

Introduction: Laboratory tests are important to diagnose the diseases, to monitor the progress and to see the response to the treatment of patients. Pre-analytical variables include specimen collection, timing, transportation & handling of the sample processing.
Methodology: The data were obtained from Biochemistry Central Laboratory, Descriptive Cross Sectional study design was used and data were entered in excel and analysed by using Epi-info Software version 3.4.3. Descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages were calculated.
Results: The total number of samples received by the laboratory for a period of two months was 7333 and analyzed for pre-analytical errors in those samples. The most common pre-analytical error was wrong ordering which is 16.73% & followed by hemolysed sample, insufficient quantity, mixed with saline, empty tubes and the least one was mismatched samples.
Conclusion: Quality improvement in the pre-analytical phase helps laboratories to deliver more timely and accurate test results for clinicians.

Keywords: Pre-analytical errors, Turnaround time, Total testing process