For this study, researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of reported laboratory events voluntarily reported electronically by 30 health organizations from 2000 to 2005. They found a total of 37,532 laboratory-related events were reported during that time period, accounting for a little more than 14 percent of all reported adverse events. A closer analysis of the laboratory-related errors revealed the most common types were:
• Specimens were not labeled (18.7 percent)
• Specimens were mislabeled (16.3 percent)
• Improper collection of specimens (13.2 percent)
The researchers also found less than 1 percent of all laboratory events caused permanent harm or death. Almost all of the reported errors (81.1 percent) were a result of events that preceded specimen arrival to the laboratory, which suggests a possible need for improved processes and education to prevent these types of errors from occurring in the future.
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