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Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia

Received: 26 October 2016     Accepted: 14 November 2016     Published: 8 December 2016
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Abstract

Although, Ethiopia is working to improve the qualities of laboratory services, errors are still prevailing. These errors are classified as pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical. Studies that focus on prevalence and factors that influence the pattern of laboratory error remain very scarce in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the extent of pre-analytical error and factors contributing to this error among blood specimens referred for CD4 and Haematology tests. We conducted a quantitative study triangulated by qualitative technique in three laboratories in Central Oromiya; Ethiopia. For quantitative study, a total of 754 randomly selected blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms were reviewed using a structured checklist. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For qualitative part thematic content analysis of the interviews was performed using Open Code software version 3.4 and three different categories were emerged. The magnitude of pre-analytical error among 754 blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms was 314 (41.6%) with 95% CI of (38.3-45.2). Blood specimen collected using syringe and needle methods and specimens collected in under 15 years old patients were prevalent for pre-analytical error; with ORs (95% CIs) of 4.948 (1.993-12.285) and 6.973 (4.032-12.060) respectively. In-depth interview indicated that Knowledge, Process failure and lack of patient centeredness were factors accounted for pre-analytical error. Alongside of the efforts to control laboratory error, this study highlighted complexity of pre-analytical error control efforts. Co-operation with clinicians and personnel outside the laboratory, process automation, computerized test requesting, procedure for specimen collection and training are of vital importance to make progress on pre-analytical testing process.

Published in American Journal of Laboratory Medicine (Volume 1, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13
Page(s) 58-64
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Error at Pre-analytical Phase, Preparatory Phase, Error Before Testing

References
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    Mulat Woldie Wondimagegn, Walelegn Worku Yallew, Takele Teklu Anijajo. (2016). Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia. American Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 1(3), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13

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    ACS Style

    Mulat Woldie Wondimagegn; Walelegn Worku Yallew; Takele Teklu Anijajo. Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia. Am. J. Lab. Med. 2016, 1(3), 58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13

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    AMA Style

    Mulat Woldie Wondimagegn, Walelegn Worku Yallew, Takele Teklu Anijajo. Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia. Am J Lab Med. 2016;1(3):58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13,
      author = {Mulat Woldie Wondimagegn and Walelegn Worku Yallew and Takele Teklu Anijajo},
      title = {Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia},
      journal = {American Journal of Laboratory Medicine},
      volume = {1},
      number = {3},
      pages = {58-64},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajlm.20160103.13},
      abstract = {Although, Ethiopia is working to improve the qualities of laboratory services, errors are still prevailing. These errors are classified as pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical. Studies that focus on prevalence and factors that influence the pattern of laboratory error remain very scarce in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the extent of pre-analytical error and factors contributing to this error among blood specimens referred for CD4 and Haematology tests. We conducted a quantitative study triangulated by qualitative technique in three laboratories in Central Oromiya; Ethiopia. For quantitative study, a total of 754 randomly selected blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms were reviewed using a structured checklist. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For qualitative part thematic content analysis of the interviews was performed using Open Code software version 3.4 and three different categories were emerged. The magnitude of pre-analytical error among 754 blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms was 314 (41.6%) with 95% CI of (38.3-45.2). Blood specimen collected using syringe and needle methods and specimens collected in under 15 years old patients were prevalent for pre-analytical error; with ORs (95% CIs) of 4.948 (1.993-12.285) and 6.973 (4.032-12.060) respectively. In-depth interview indicated that Knowledge, Process failure and lack of patient centeredness were factors accounted for pre-analytical error. Alongside of the efforts to control laboratory error, this study highlighted complexity of pre-analytical error control efforts. Co-operation with clinicians and personnel outside the laboratory, process automation, computerized test requesting, procedure for specimen collection and training are of vital importance to make progress on pre-analytical testing process.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of Pre-Analytical Error on Blood Specimens Referred for CD4 and Haematology Tests in Central Oromiya, Ethiopia
    AU  - Mulat Woldie Wondimagegn
    AU  - Walelegn Worku Yallew
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13
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    JF  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
    JO  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20160103.13
    AB  - Although, Ethiopia is working to improve the qualities of laboratory services, errors are still prevailing. These errors are classified as pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical. Studies that focus on prevalence and factors that influence the pattern of laboratory error remain very scarce in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the extent of pre-analytical error and factors contributing to this error among blood specimens referred for CD4 and Haematology tests. We conducted a quantitative study triangulated by qualitative technique in three laboratories in Central Oromiya; Ethiopia. For quantitative study, a total of 754 randomly selected blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms were reviewed using a structured checklist. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. For qualitative part thematic content analysis of the interviews was performed using Open Code software version 3.4 and three different categories were emerged. The magnitude of pre-analytical error among 754 blood specimens and its accompanying laboratory request forms was 314 (41.6%) with 95% CI of (38.3-45.2). Blood specimen collected using syringe and needle methods and specimens collected in under 15 years old patients were prevalent for pre-analytical error; with ORs (95% CIs) of 4.948 (1.993-12.285) and 6.973 (4.032-12.060) respectively. In-depth interview indicated that Knowledge, Process failure and lack of patient centeredness were factors accounted for pre-analytical error. Alongside of the efforts to control laboratory error, this study highlighted complexity of pre-analytical error control efforts. Co-operation with clinicians and personnel outside the laboratory, process automation, computerized test requesting, procedure for specimen collection and training are of vital importance to make progress on pre-analytical testing process.
    VL  - 1
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

  • Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

  • Departments of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Collage of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

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