title: Preanalytical Errors in Hematology Laboratory- an Avoidable Incompetence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality assurance in the hematology laboratory is a must to ensure laboratory users of reliable test results with high degree of precision and accuracy. Even after so many advances in hematology laboratory practice, pre-analytical errors remain a challenge for practicing pathologists. This study was undertaken with an objective to evaluate the types and frequency of preanalytical errors in hematology laboratory of our center.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the samples received in the Hematology Laboratory of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India over a period of one year (July 2013-July 2014) were included in the study and preanalytical variables like clotted samples, quantity not sufficient, wrong sample, without label, wrong label were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 471,006 samples received in the laboratory, preanalytical errors, as per the above mentioned categories was found in 1802 samples. The most common error was clotted samples (1332 samples, 0.28% of the total samples) followed by quantity not sufficient (328 sample, 0.06%), wrong sample (96 samples, 0.02%), without label (24 samples, 0.005%) and wrong label (22 samples, 0.005%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preanalytical errors are frequent in laboratories and can be corrected by regular analysis of the variables involved. Rectification can be done by regular education of the staff.
authors: Dept. of Pathology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors: Vikram Narang
authors: VN
authors: HarsimranKaur
authors: Dept. of Pathology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors: Pavneet Kaur
authors: PK
authors: Selhi
authors: Dept. of Pathology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors: Neena
authors: N
authors: Sood
authors: Dept. of Pathology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors: Aminder
authors: A
authors: Singh
keywords: Hematology; Preanalytical; Quality control