Assessment of Extra-analytical Errors and Associated Factors in Medical Laboratories of Government Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2021-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background:Laboratory services are the back bone of current healthcare services, which is
articulated in different phases that span pre analytical phase, analytical phase,and post analytical
phases. Error can be any defect through the entire process of Laboratory services, from ordering
request to reporting result. It may have harmful effects on patient managing, by contributing to
wrong treatment, an increase in lengths of hospital stay, and unhappiness with healthcare
services. Therefore, this study aimed to Assessment of extra analytical errors and associated
factors in Medical Laboratories of Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Objective: To Assess extra analytical errors and associated factors in Medical Laboratories of
Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted inMedical Laboratories of
Public Hospitals in Addis Ababafrom January-April 2020 to assess extra analytical errors and
associated factors in medical laboratories.Data were collected from2401 laboratory requestforms
(LRF) ordered within the study period and 169 lab professionals working in public
hospitals.Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23.Data analyzed using simple
descriptive statistics, percentages, frequency and summarized using tables and text.The
association between dependent variable and independent factors were assessed using Chi-square
tests. P-value < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
Result:In this study, 2401 laboratory request forms were assessedand 169 lab professionals were
interviewed. Out of the total errors 60.3% and 39.7% were recorded pre-analytic and postanalytical
errors
respectively.
The
physicianphone
number
and
patient
clinical
data
were
missed
in
97% and
88.3%
respectively.Majority of the study participants were within the age group of
20-30 years (59.8%), Bachelor degree holders (62.7%) and have work experience of 6-10 years
(39.1%).extra analytical errors in laboratory services were significantly associated with
availability of written procedures for laboratory activities(adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =2.79, 95%
CI =1.34, 5.86), Experience (3-5years)
(AOR) =6.69, 95% CI =1.85, 24.19) andEducation
(Degree)(AOR) =6.30, 95% CI= 2.17, 18.26).
Conclusion and recommendation:This study reported re high frequency of errors in the extra
analytical phase. The information mostly absent in laboratory request forms assessed were
physician phone number followed by clinical data of patients and excessive TAT. Extra
analytical errors of laboratory can lead to misdiagnosis and mishandling of patients. So a
continuous practice of measuringerrors andprovide capacity building, strengthening
communication between laboratory staff and physicians, apply rejection practice in incomplete
LRF and specimen were required to help in reducing extra analytical error of laboratory.
Description
Keywords
Errors, post analytical errors, pre analytical errors, extra analytical errors, Laboratory request forms