Errors of Clinical Laboratory and Its Impact on Patient Safety

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the potential risks of medical laboratory activities in all processes: Strategic, operational (pre-preanalytical, preanalytical, analytical, postanalytical and post-postanalytical) and support. Also, we value the impact of these risks in the patient safety. The methodology used in this study to identify and estimate the possible failure modes was the Failure Model and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The real failures then were registered in the same processes according to the methodology Failure Reporting Analysis and Corrective Action System (FRACAS). Moreover, it used the basis of available information of the laboratory quality system. The Risk Priority Number (RPN) with FMEA and FRACAS was calculated for every laboratory processes and it was made a comparative of the results obtained with both methodologies. Based on these results, we made the risk map in medical laboratory. These results allowed us identifying critical points in all laboratory processes and prioritize the control of these points. Furthermore, it helped to select preventive or corrective action that should be incorporated in the laboratory improvement planning and risk management.