Pre Analytical Phase : The Seismic Zone of Clinical Laboratory Testing

  • Rateesh Sareen Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)
  • Menka Kapil Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)
  • G N Gupta Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)
Keywords: Preanalytical phase, Quality Indicators

Abstract

The total testing process is divided into preanalytical, analytical and post analytical phase, with most of the errors has been suggested to occur in pre analytical phase. Pre analytical phase is the seismic zone in terms of errors as this phase has processes that are generally held outside the clinical laboratory and not under the control of the laboratory management. Therefore, active monitoring and control of all possible defects that are caused by non –laboratory personnel is essential for incorporating actions outside the laboratory in the laboratory quality assurance plan. Measures to reduce preanalytical errors include- continuous education & training, written policies, implementation of standard operating procedures, establishment of quality indicators and communication. It is the involvement of the entire health care team as a single unit that can bring improvement in total testing process and specifically pre analytical phase.

Author Biographies

Rateesh Sareen, Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)
CONSULTANT DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY & TRANSFUSION MEDICINE
G N Gupta, Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)
Department of Pathology & Transfusion Medicine, Santokba Durlabhji Hospital(India)

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Published
2018-06-17
Section
Review Article