Assessment of Medical Laboratory request form Completeness and non- Communicated Result to Clinicians in the two public Hospitals Found in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground: Long years ago, history and physical examinations have been the most
important part of patient's assessment. However, in recent years, the care of patients has
become increasingly dependent on the results of laboratory investigations, and clinical
laboratories have become a major component in the delivery of health care.Correctly
designed and properly completed request forms are vital for the performance of all
laboratory tests to the benefit and satisfaction of users.Results that never reach the
physician affect the quality of patient care and unnecessarily wastage of financial health
resources.
Objective-The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of empty request form to
the standard and to assess completeness of filled information on medical laboratory request
form and communication of results to users in two public Hospitals of Hawassa city,
southern Ethiopia.
Methods– ACross-sectional descriptive study design was employed. We collected all
request forms submitted to the laboratory during March 15-30, 2015. Data was collected
and information was recorded on the data collection sheet and cheeked for its
completeness. To assess non-communicated requested result.we reviewed patient medical
record. Furthermore to asses factors contributed to improper completion and failed
collection, clinicians were asked using pre structured questionnaire. Finally data were
analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.
Result -The content of HURH empty medical laboratory request form to the standard was
16(72.7%) and Adare hospital 9(40.9%) A total of one thousand nine hundred request
forms were studied. Our assessment revealed that, none of the request form was
completely filled. All of the request forms 100% studied revealed that three or more gaps
in the completion of the items assessed. From reviewed requests 23.8% was uncollected
and from this 83(33.1%) was CBC.
Conclusion -This study demonstrates that, the standard of completion of request forms
was poor. Essential information required on the forms was often missing. This can lead to
limited advice given by laboratory personnel and may increase the potential for errors.
Conversely, provision of all the information needed on the forms will aid laboratory
diagnosis
and
enhance
patient
care
and
save
time
and
resource
Description
Keywords
Public Hospitals