The influence of Pre-analytical Variable in the Biochemistry Laboratory

Background and objective: The use of autoanalysers in the Clinical Laboratories has reduced the analytical errors but the pre analytical errors have a greater impact on the total error and diagnostic accuracy of the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory reports. Hence this study was designed to evaluate the percentage of pre analytical error in the biochemistry laboratory of the regional diagnostic centre at Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital (SCB MCH) and to develop preventive and corrective measures for the above errors. Material and methods: The study was conducted during June 2019 to August 2019 a period of 3 months. : The study was undertaken to access the sampling errors in a biochemistry laboratory of a tertiary care hospital. It was a prospective study. All the pre analytical errors were categorized and documented. Observations: In the three months of study period, it was observed at 27.4% of pre analytical errors occur per day. The various categories were –Improper test request forms, incorrect blood collection tube, incorrect sample collection timing and hemolysis of the sample. The majority of pre analytical errors occurred in the indoor collection samples. Discussion and conclusion: The pre analytical errors influence the diagnostic accuracy and affect critical value of the test results .Hence each laboratory should avoid such events by stringent quality control measures, awareness among sample collection personnel in order to provide quality patient care.