Focus on Five: Reducing the Risk of Laboratory Errors

Source: Joint Commission Perspectives on Patient Safety, Volume 6, Number 10, October 2006, pp. 11-11(1)

 

Nearly 70% of all medical decisions each year are based on laboratory results, and more than 7 billion tests are run annually. Taking into consideration that 3% to 5% of the specimens collected are defective, the potential for an incorrect diagnosis or treatment decision may be estimated conservatively at 210 million tests. While only 1% of errors lead to serious harm or delays in treatment, this translates to a staggering 2.1 million tests per year. This article provides five strategies for reducing the risk of laboratory errors in your organization.