Preanalytical errors in emergency department samples: Investigating error sources.

BACKGROUND: The presence of preanalytical errors is a recurring fact in all areas of healthcare that send samples to laboratories. Increasing the knowledge of possible sources of error in the preanalytical phase has been the objective of this group during the last 10 years. METHODS: In this study, descriptive research has been carried out using professionals' opinions obtained by means of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats method in a focus group. RESULTS: The opinions expressed within the focus group have emphasised the importance of patients' safety and willingness for the introduction of a computerized analytical module. The most commented weakness in both hospitals was the transport of samples through the pneumatic tube. Improving the duration of workers' contracts, especially in the laboratory, and creating a circuit for professional's localization during the work shift to facilitate potential error solving are some opportunities for the future. CONCLUSIONS: Different approaches have been developed depending on the healthcare scenario. For this, establishing a flow of information between the different professionals allows identifying identical aspects through a priori, different points of view. The line to follow is to improve the safety of the patient and also to give professionals an opportunity to express themselves.

Multidisciplinary training activities for decreasing preanalytical mistakes in samples from primary care.

BACKGROUND: The presence of preanalytical mistakes (PM) in samples from primary care centres (PCC) is a widely studied topic. Different correcting strategies have been proposed, with variable success. We planned a series of multidisciplinary sessions for clinical update, with the aim to decrease PM rates in samples from PCC. METHODS: The incidence of PM in samples from PCC processed at the laboratories of University Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (LAB1) and University Hospital Juan Ramon Jimenez (LAB2) was assessed during two time periods (October to November 2013 and January to May 2014). Clinical update sessions were conducted between periods (2014). Differences in PM rates between observation periods were evaluated. RESULTS: With respect to 2014, we observed a significant reduction of PM rates in blood samples processed at LAB1 during 2015, whereas those in LAB2 were slightly increased. The most common PMs were haemolysed sample at LAB1 and missed sample at LAB2. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presence of PM remains slightly high, there was a significant reduction after the clinical update sessions in LAB1, where the most frequent PM was haemolysed sample. In contrast, the PM rates were slightly increased at LAB2, and the main source was missed sample. This might be explained, at least in part, by different problems associated with sample transportation, and by the delay in transferring acquired knowledge into clinical practice. Implementation of regular programme of update sessions and improvements in sample transportation might help to reduce the PM presence in our area.

Evaluación de un nuevo dispositivo para la recogida de la muestra, transporte y detección del estreptococo del grupo B en mujeres embarazadas / Evaluation of a new device for sample collection, transport and detection of Group B Streptococcus in pregnant women

Se ha diseñado un dispositivo de nueva invención que combina recogida, transporte, cultivo y detección del estreptococo del grupo B (EGB) sin necesidad de procesamiento ni manipulaciones intermedias, de manera que simplifique todo el proceso. El objetivo ha sido evaluar el rendimiento y utilidad de dicho dispositivo en la detección del EGB en mujeres embarazadas. Se comparó el nuevo prototipo en paralelo con la siembra directa de las muestras vagino-rectales en el medio sólido Granada en placas tradicionales. Mediante la siembra directa se detectaron 124 muestras positivas de 600 (20,6%). Mediante el nuevo dispositivo se detectaron las mismas que en siembra directa y además 10 adicionales 134/600 (22,3%). La utilización del nuevo dispositivo podría ser considerada en la práctica clínica asistencial de rutina para el cribado del EGB mediante previo acuerdo de comercialización (AU)

We have designed a new device that combines sample collection, transportation, culture and detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), requiring no additional processing in the clinical laboratory. The objective was to evaluate the performance of this device for GBS detection in pregnant women. The new prototype was compared to direct plating of vaginal-rectal swabs onto Granada solid media plates. Direct plating method detected 124 positive samples out of 600 (20.6%) whereas the new device detected 10 additional positive samples (134/600, 22.3%). This new device (patent-protected) could be considered for routine GBS screening (AU)

Producción científica de la Revista de la Sociedad Española de Enfermería Nefrológica durante los años 2005-2008 / Scientifi c production of the Journal of the Spanish Association of Renal Nursing between the years 2005-2008

Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad científi ca y la producción de la información de la Revista de la Sociedad Española de Enfermería Nefrológica (SEDEN), en el periodo 2005 a 2008, mediante el análisis bibliométrico. Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal, de los resultados obtenidos del análisis de los artículos publicados en la Revista de la SEDEN. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante la consulta, a través de la Red, de la versión electrónica. Se tuvo en cuenta todas las tipologías documentales a excepción de las editoriales. Resultados: Se publicaron un total de 131 artículos, siendo originales 75 (57,25%). El área temática mayoritaria es la hemodiálisis. El número de autores es 4,44 por artículo. El perfi l de autoría es una enfermera del ámbito asistencial de la Comunidad autónoma catalana o andaluza que utiliza 7,53 citas bibliográfi cas, con más de 7 años de antigüedad, por artículo original y utiliza metodología cuantitativa. Conclusiones: Hay un incremento del 25% en el número de publicaciones con respecto al período 2001-2004 (AU)

Objective: To assess the scientifi c activity and information production of the journal of the Spanish Association of Renal Nursing (SEDEN) for the period 2005-2008, by means of the bibliometric study. Methods: Cross-seccional descriptive study of the results obtained from the analysis of the articles published in the journal of SEDEN. The data were obtained by consulting the electronic version through the web. All the documental possibilities were taken into account with the exception of editorials. Results: A total of 131 articles were published, 75 (57,25%) being original articles. Most of the articles are from hemodialysis area. The number of authors is 4.44 per article. The profi le of authorship is an asistencial female nurse in the Catalan or Andalusian Comunity using 7,53 citations, with over 7 years old from the year of publication, for original article and quantitative methodology used. Conclusions: There is a 25% increase in the number of publications for the period 2001-2004 (AU)