A Six Sigma approach to the rate and clinical effect of registration errors in a laboratory

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dc.contributor.authorVanker N.
dc.contributor.authorVan Wyk J.
dc.contributor.authorZemlin A.E.
dc.contributor.authorErasmus R.T.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:16:56Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:16:56Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractBackground: Laboratory errors made during the preanalytical phase can have an impact on clinical care. Quality management tools such as Six Sigma may help improve error rates. Aim: To use elements of a Six Sigma model to establish the error rate of test registration onto the laboratory information system (LIS), and to deduce the potential clinical impact of these errors. Methods: In this retrospective study, test request forms were compared with the tests registered onto the LIS, and all errors were noted before being rectified. The error rate was calculated. The corresponding patient records were then examined to determine the actual outcome, and to deduce the potential clinical impact of the registration errors. Results: Of the 47 543 tests requested, 72 errors were noted, resulting in an error rate of 0.151%, equating to a sigma score of 4.46. The patient records reviewed indicated that these errors could, in various ways, have impacted on clinical care. Conclusion: This study highlights the clinical effect of errors made during the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory testing process. Reduction of errors may be achieved through implementation of a Six Sigma programme.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Clinical Pathology
dc.identifier.citation63
dc.identifier.citation5
dc.identifier.issn00219746
dc.identifier.other10.1136/jcp.2009.072058
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/13996
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectcontrolled study
dc.subjectdiagnostic error
dc.subjecthealth program
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectlaboratory test
dc.subjectmedical record review
dc.subjectpriority journal
dc.subjectregister
dc.subjectretrospective study
dc.subjecttotal quality management
dc.subjectClinical Laboratory Information Systems
dc.subjectDiagnostic Errors
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectLaboratory Techniques and Procedures
dc.subjectMedical Records
dc.subjectOutcome Assessment (Health Care)
dc.subjectPathology, Clinical
dc.subjectQuality Assurance, Health Care
dc.subjectRetrospective Studies
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectTotal Quality Management
dc.titleA Six Sigma approach to the rate and clinical effect of registration errors in a laboratory
dc.typeArticle
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