Quality improvement in laboratory medicine: extra-analytical issues.
This article addresses sources of error in the pre- and postanalytic phases of the testing cycle, using the collection of blood specimens as a paradigm for quality improvement in these phases of testing. The article focuses on appropriateness of the test request, patient and sample identification, criteria for acceptance and rejection of specimens, and the communication and interpretation of results.
Lippi
Giuseppe
G
Sezione di Chimica e Microscopia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Verona, Ospedale Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale Scuro, Verona, Italy. giuseppe.lippi@univr.it
Fostini
Roberto
R
Guidi
Gian Cesare
GC
D003142:Communication; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*