Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Preanalytical phase errors constitute the majority of the total error in the laboratory (46-68%). The aim of this study was to investigate the causes and rates of rejected samples, regarding to certain test groups in our emergecy laboratory.

METHODS

This study was designed on the rejected samples between November 2014 and April 2015 and six test groups in emergecy laboratory was included: clinical chemistry, drug level, cardiac markers, coagulation, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total urine evaluation. The total number of specimen and rejected samples was obtained from the hospital information system retrospectively. Laboratory errors were classified by test groups, specimen types and causes of specimen rejection.

RESULTS

It was determined that 144887 samples were sent to our emergency laboratory in six months period. 1.14% of them were rejected because of preanalytical errors. Erroneous coding was found as the most common rejection cause (22.9%). Rejection rates of more coding, hemolysis and insufficient volume were found to be 20.2%, 17% and 12.5%, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In our study, test request errors were the most common cause of preanalytical errors. Education of medical secretaries can solve this problem.