ERROR RATES IN AUSTRALIAN CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES

Objective: To measure transcription and analytical errors made by Aust ralian chemical pathology laboratories. Design: Retrospective data col lection covering the period 1 November 1993 to 1 April 1994. Setting a nd participants: Fourteen pathology laboratories in five Australian St ates (seven in the public sector, and seven in the private sector). Ma in outcome measures: Error rates in transcribing information from requ est forms to computer record systems, and laboratory performance on ch emical analysis. Results: Pathology laboratories had a transcription-e rror rate of up to 39% and an error rate of up to 26% for analytical r esults. The worst-performing laboratory had errors (of patient identif ication or results of analysis) in 46% of requests. The three best-per forming laboratories achieved 85% error-free reporting, with one achie ving 95%. Conclusions: Error rates in Australian pathology laboratorie s vary widely, but may be as high as 46% for all specimens in some lab oratories. The types of errors reported were under the control of the laboratory, and would affect the accuracy of reported pathology test r esults, with potential adverse outcomes for patient care and inefficie nt use of health-care resources. There is a need to establish broader quality assurance programs and performance requirements to reduce thes e types of error.