PRE-ANALYTICAL WORKSTATIONS AS A TOOL FOR REDUCING LABORATORY ERRORS

Reducing errors and improving quality are an integral part of Laboratory Medicine. Laboratory testing, a highly complex process commonly called the total testing process (TTP), is usually subdivided into three traditional (pre-, intra-, and post-) analytical phases. A series of papers published from 1989 drew the attention of laboratory professionals to the pre- analytical phase, which currently appears to be more vulnerable to errors than the other phases. Consequently, the preanalytical phase should be the main target for further quality improvement. Therefore, identifying the critical steps in the pre-analytical phase is a prerequisite for continuous quality improvement, further error reduction and thus for improving patient safety. Use of automated systems where feasible, and use of error reduction/improved quality as a factor when selecting instrumentation are the main tools we have to insure high quality and minimize errors in the pre- analytical phase. The reasons for automation of the pre- analytical phase have become so compelling that it is no longer simply a competitive advantage for laboratories, but rather a competitive necessity. These systems can impact on the clinical/laboratory interface and affect the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of care.