3.2 Identifying where errors occur

Errors can be introduced at any stage of the path of workflow (as shown in Table 4): before the test takes place (pre-analytical), during the test (analytical) and after the test (post-analytical). It is important to identify where errors can occur and put in place controls and measures to reduce these. Using standardised procedures helps keep errors to a minimum.

Table 4 Path of workflow for laboratory testing in the context of AMR. (Note: at the post-analytical phase, the isolate may also be stored for future testing – errors at this stage may affect future results.)
Path of workflow
Pre-analyticalAnalyticalPost-analytical
  1. Patient information is collected
  2. Specimen is:
    • collected
    • transported
    • received
    • registered
  3. Test request is processed
  1. Pathogen isolated
  2. Test(s) performed (ID, AST)
  3. Results are recorded
  1. Results are:
    • validated
    • interpreted
  2. Results are transmitted to doctors, veterinarians and animal owners
  3. Data is stored/transmitted to national AMR surveillance

Footnotes  

ID = pathogen species or subspecies identification; AST = antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Activity 5: Potential sources of error

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

Part 1

Table 5 lists some errors that may occur during the testing process in a biomedical laboratory. For each example select the appropriate pathway stage from the drop-down options.

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3.1 Standard operating procedures (SOPs)

3.3 Quality procedures to identify and minimise errors