Preanalytical Errors in a Hematology Laboratory: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory errors arise at any stage of testing. Detecting these inaccuracies before results are revealed might delay diagnosis and treatment, causing patient distress. Here, we studied the preanalytical errors in a hematology laboratory. METHODS: This one-year retrospective analysis was conducted at the laboratory of a tertiary care hospital and included information on blood samples that were taken for hematology tests from both outpatients and inpatients. Laboratory records included sample collection and rejection information. The type and frequency of preanalytical errors were expressed as a proportion of total errors and sample number. Microsoft Excel was utilized to enter data. The results were presented in the form of frequency tables. RESULTS: This research included 67,892 hematology samples. For preanalytical errors, 886 samples (1.3%) were discarded. The most common preanalytical error was insufficient sample (54.17%), and the least common was an empty/damaged tube (0.4%). Erroneous samples in the emergency department were mostly insufficient and clotted, whereas pediatric sample errors were caused by insufficient and diluted samples. CONCLUSION: Inadequate samples and clotted samples account for the vast majority of preanalytical factors. Insufficiency and dilutional errors were most frequent from pediatric patients. Adherence to best laboratory practices can drastically cut down on preanalytical errors.

Paper money and coins as potential vectors of transmissible disease.

Paper currency and coins may be a public health risk when associated with the simultaneous handling of food and could lead to the spread of nosocomial infections. Banknotes recovered from hospitals may be highly contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella species, Escherichia coli and S. aureus are commonly isolated from banknotes from food outlets. Laboratory simulations revealed that methicillin-resistant S. aureus can easily survive on coins, whereas E. coli, Salmonella species and viruses, including human influenza virus, Norovirus, Rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus, and Rotavirus, can be transmitted through hand contact. Large-scale, 16S rRNA, metagenomic studies and culturomics have the capacity to dramatically expand the known diversity of bacteria and viruses on money and fomites. This review summarizes the latest research on the potential of paper currency and coins to serve as sources of pathogenic agents.