Laboratory Errors - Ccma
- Which phase includes result reporting, documentation, and communicating critical values?
- Postanalytical phase. These activities ensure accurate and timely delivery of results for appropriate clinical action.
- What is a preanalytical laboratory error?
- An error occurring before analysis (collection, handling, transport). This phase involves processes that can compromise specimen integrity prior to testing, leading to inaccurate results.
- Identify the preanalytical error: specimen label does not match the patient wristband.
- Patient/specimen misidentification (labeling error). Mismatched labels can lead to testing the wrong specimen, compromising patient safety and result validity.
- Identify the preanalytical error: patient was not fasting for a fasting lipid panel.
- Incorrect patient preparation (nonfasting specimen). Nonfasting affects tests requiring specific preparation, leading to falsely elevated lipid levels.
- Identify the preanalytical error: serum is not separated promptly and sits on cells too long.
- Improper processing (delayed centrifugation/separation). Delayed separation allows continued cellular metabolism, altering analyte levels like glucose or potassium.
- Identify the preanalytical error: specimen is collected in the wrong anticoagulant tube.
- Incorrect tube/additive selection. Selecting the wrong tube introduces incompatible additives that alter specimen composition and test outcomes.
- Identify the postanalytical error: a result is reported with incorrect units (mg/dL vs mmol/L).
- Reporting/transcription error (incorrect units). Incorrect units can mislead interpretation, as reference ranges differ between measurement systems.
- Identify the preanalytical error: urine culture container is not sterile.
- Specimen contamination from improper container/collection. Non-sterile containers introduce extraneous bacteria, compromising culture accuracy and leading to false positives.
- What preanalytical error is most associated with a hemolyzed serum sample?
- Hemolysis due to improper collection/handling. Hemolysis releases intracellular contents, interfering with assays and indicating collection or handling issues.
- Which phase includes patient identification, specimen collection, and transport?
- Preanalytical phase. These steps ensure specimen quality and accuracy before laboratory analysis begins.
- What is the primary preanalytical consequence of drawing the wrong tube type for a test?
- Additive interference causing inaccurate results. Wrong tube additives can react with analytes, leading to false positives or negatives in testing.
- What preanalytical problem occurs when a specimen is delivered to the laboratory after stability limits?
- Specimen deterioration due to delayed transport. Exceeding stability limits allows biochemical changes, rendering the specimen unsuitable for accurate analysis.
- Identify the preanalytical error: tube is shaken vigorously after collection.
- Hemolysis from improper mixing/handling. Vigorous shaking ruptures red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin that interferes with photometric tests.
- Which error type is most consistent with a delayed release of verified results to the provider?
- Postanalytical delay in reporting. Delays in reporting hinder timely clinical decisions, classifying this as a postanalytical issue.
- Identify the postanalytical error: a numeric result is typed incorrectly into the EMR.
- Transcription/data entry error. Typing errors in electronic records can propagate inaccuracies, affecting patient diagnosis and management.
- Identify the preanalytical error: blood is drawn from an arm with an active IV infusion.
- Specimen contamination/dilution from IV fluids. Drawing near an IV site introduces fluids that alter analyte concentrations, invalidating test results.
- Identify the preanalytical error: specimen is stored at the wrong temperature during transport.
- Improper specimen storage/transport conditions. Incorrect conditions can degrade analytes, such as temperature-sensitive enzymes, leading to unreliable results.
- Identify the preanalytical error: a tube is collected without two patient identifiers.
- Improper patient identification. Using fewer than two identifiers risks collecting from the wrong patient, a common source of preanalytical errors.
- Identify the postanalytical error: a critical potassium result is not reported promptly.
- Failure to communicate critical value in a timely manner. Timely reporting of critical values is essential to prevent delays in life-saving interventions.
- What is the term for a specimen rejected because it is unlabeled or mislabeled?
- Specimen identification discrepancy. Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens are rejected to prevent testing errors and ensure traceability to the correct patient.
- What is the postanalytical error called when results are entered under the wrong patient chart?
- Result misassignment (wrong patient reporting). Entering results incorrectly assigns them to the wrong patient, potentially causing inappropriate treatment.
- Identify the preanalytical error: tourniquet is left on for an extended time before draw.
- Hemoconcentration from prolonged tourniquet time. Extended tourniquet application increases venous pressure, concentrating blood components and skewing results.
- What postanalytical error occurs when a corrected report is not issued after discovering an error?
- Failure to amend/correct a reported result. Issuing corrections ensures providers have accurate information, preventing ongoing clinical errors.
- Identify the preanalytical error: a coagulation tube is underfilled.
- Incorrect blood-to-additive ratio (short draw). Underfilling disrupts the optimal ratio, causing erroneous coagulation results due to excess anticoagulant.
- What is a postanalytical laboratory error?
- An error occurring after analysis (reporting, interpretation, result delivery). This phase encompasses actions after testing that may lead to misinterpretation or delayed clinical decisions.