title: Reducing specimen identification errors.
abstract: In 2006, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics identified that the number of specimen identification errors each month was much greater than desired and represented a significant patient safety issue. A collaborative performance improvement approach between nursing and the laboratory was undertaken for the inpatient, ambulatory, and surgical services areas, with the focus on creation of a just culture. Between 2007 and 2011, interventions were successful in significantly reducing the number of errors by 85%.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Ave H4/882, Madison, WI 53792, USA. srees@uwhealth.org
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mikelsons
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quam
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Darcy
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D061214:Patient Safety; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D014922:Wisconsin