Pre-analytical Errors in Haematology Laboratory of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study of northern Pakistan

Authors

  • Ayesha Ellahi Department of Haematology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Sunila Tashfeen Department of Haematology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Fahim Akhtar Department of Haematology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Aiza Saadia Department of Histopathology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Samra Shahid Department of Haematology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Muhammad Wasiullah Khan Department of Pharmacology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74i1.9402

Keywords:

Hemolysed Sample, Lipemic Sample, Pre-analytical errors, Blood, Blood cell count, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To identify the types and frequency of pre-analytical errors in the haematology laboratory and to reduce these preanalytical errors by taking corrective measures.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Haematology Laboratory of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Apr 2022 after applying corrective measures, pre-analytical errors were re-analysed from Jun to Jul 2022.

Methodology: The study included all samples received in the haematology laboratory for complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, coagulation profile, and blood malarial parasite. Blood samples were checked for clotted samples, insufficient quantity, diluted samples, hemolysed samples, lipemic samples, and degenerated samples. After that, corrective measures were taken to reduce the pre-analytical errors.

Results: The total number of samples received in the first session was 30,169, and pre-analytical errors were present in 508(0.016%) samples. The most frequent pre-analytical errors were of clotted samples 300(59.1%) followed by quantity not sufficient 168(33.1%), hemolysed samples 68(13.4%), diluted samples 49(9.6%), degenerated samples 22(4.3%) and lipemic samples 18(3.5%). After applying corrective measures, pre-analytical errors were reduced in clotted samples 78(52.7%), quantity not sufficient 39(26.4%), hemolysed samples 14(9.5%), diluted samples 11(7.4%), degenerated samples 5(3.4%) and lipemic samples 4(2.7%) respectively.

Conclusion: This study showed the relative frequency of various pre-analytical errors in a haematology laboratory. It also signifies the implementation of corrective measures for reducing these pre-analytical errors.

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Published

28-02-2024

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Original Articles

How to Cite

1.
Ellahi A, Tashfeen S, Akhtar F, Saadia A, Shahid S, Khan MW. Pre-analytical Errors in Haematology Laboratory of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study of northern Pakistan. Pak Armed Forces Med J [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 28 [cited 2024 Jul. 20];74(1):164-7. Available from: https://pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/9402