Patient Safety in Lab Testing

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is associated with making more lab errors?

High workload

Inexperienced staff

Poor training

Being fatigued (correct)

Which of the following types of work are susceptible to fatigue-associated errors?

Laboratory tests

Data entry

Patient interaction

All of the above (correct)

An example of an active error in lab testing is:

Mislabeling a patient's specimen

An example of a latent error is:

Failure to install a readily available interface between an instrument and the LIS Signup and view all the answers

Lab management fails to replace an old error-prone analyzer. This is an example of a latent error regarding:

Equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to improve the connection between lab workers and patients?

Patient gives lecture about his hospitalization to lab staff Signup and view all the answers

An example of improving connection between lab workers and ICU physicians is:

Have ICU physicians talk to lab staff about how lab tests have helped save patient lives Signup and view all the answers

Which data entry errors are more in need of a strong intervention?

Test B entry errors Signup and view all the answers

Errors that produce false positive lab results can lead to which of the following?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

The most specific and meaningful way to refer to an error in which a patient nearly bled to death due to an INR error is:

"We had a case of excessive bleeding due to an INR error" Signup and view all the answers

Different types of COVID-19 testing have the same false negative rate.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a patient safety problem caused by a false negative COVID-19 test?

The spread of the disease is enhanced Signup and view all the answers

A false negative COVID-19 result can be caused by a mislabeled specimen.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most likely to increase the chance of errors with a manual test method?

Increase the amount of distraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the best advice for a patient with a cholesterol level of 242 mg/dL?

Seek medical advice with a routine appointment Signup and view all the answers

Which safety problem can be caused by the failure of the lab to call a critical value?

The patient does not get treated for a potentially life-threatening condition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a difficulty associated with critical value policies?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

An example of 'Deference to Expertise' in patient safety is:

Allowing the most knowledgeable and experienced technologist to review a difficult Gram stain result Signup and view all the answers

When relaying concerns about interpretation of a test result, it is better for a pathologist to speak directly with a care provider than to an administrative assistant who relays the concern.

True Signup and view all the answers

This is an example of what kind of lab error: A genetic test result comes back, but a lab worker forgets to enter the result in the medical record.

Post-analytic Signup and view all the answers

If a phlebotomist starts noticing conditions like a slight cough and fever, what should he do?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

A false positive COVID-19 result can be caused by a mislabeled specimen.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following increases the chance of errors with a barcode-based system for phlebotomy?

Both of the above Signup and view all the answers

ALL abnormal test results are panic and should result in a telephone call from lab personnel to a care provider.

False Signup and view all the answers

Who is the most appropriate person to notify with a panic value?

The patient's physician who ordered the test Signup and view all the answers

An example of a patient safety improvement is:

Automated pipetting to reduce pipetting errors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following problems is preventable?

Data entry error in which result of pregnancy test is entered as 'positive' when it is 'negative' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can provide information helpful for Quality Improvement projects?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following guarantees that a lab will not commit any errors?

None of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who is most likely to successfully troubleshoot a lab instrument in an emergency?

A lab worker who regularly uses the instrument Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Patient Safety and Errors in Lab Testing

Fatigue increases the likelihood of lab errors among workers.
Types of work susceptible to fatigue-related errors include all categories of lab work.
Active errors in lab testing are clear mistakes at the interaction point between human and machines, exemplified by mislabeling a patient’s specimen.
Latent errors are hidden organizational flaws that lead to active mistakes, such as not installing a necessary interface between lab instruments and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
Equipment management is critical; failing to replace malfunctioning analyzers is considered a latent error.

Improving Connections and Communication

Engaging lab workers in understanding patient experiences, such as lectures from patients about hospitalizations, enhances quality improvement motivation.
Direct communication between lab staff and intensive care unit (ICU) physicians helps illustrate the impact of lab tests on patient safety.

Error Impact and Response Strategies

Data entry errors should be prioritized for interventions based on patient harm; Test B errors caused harm and require stronger corrective actions.
Errors leading to false positive lab results can have extensive negative consequences, affecting patient treatment and care.
Clear communication about critical incidents, such as excessive bleeding due to INR errors, is vital for staff awareness and addressing safety concerns.

COVID-19 Testing Insights

False negative rates can vary across different COVID-19 testing methods.
A false negative result may facilitate the spread of the virus and can occur due to specimen mislabeling.

Handling Lab Responsibilities

Distractions in manual testing significantly increase the probability of errors.
Patients exhibiting high cholesterol levels without symptoms should consult healthcare professionals for further evaluation.
Failing to report critical test results can delay treatment of life-threatening conditions, highlighting the necessity of stringent panic value protocols.

Improving Safety Protocols

Deference to Expertise allows skilled technologists to review complex test results effectively.
Communication of test interpretation concerns is more effective when directly relayed from pathologists to care providers rather than through administrative staff.
Post-analytic errors include failures to document critical test results in medical records, underscoring the importance of thorough follow-up.

Quality Improvement and Safety Projects

Effective patient safety improvements include implementing automated systems to reduce human error, such as automated pipetting.
Quality improvement project focus should be on preventable problems, like recording inaccuracies in test results.
Continuous learning and data collection from various sources can feed into quality improvement efforts.

General Knowledge on Lab Operations

There are no guarantees against lab errors; ongoing vigilance is essential.
The most effective troubleshooters during lab instrument malfunctions are those who frequently use the equipment, highlighting the need for skilled personnel in emergency situations.

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Description

Explore the importance of patient safety and the impact of fatigue on lab testing errors. Learn about active and latent errors, equipment management, and the significance of communication between lab workers and medical staff. This quiz highlights critical factors that contribute to lab testing quality and safety.

Patient Safety in Lab Testing

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is associated with making more lab errors?

Which of the following types of work are susceptible to fatigue-associated errors?

An example of an active error in lab testing is:

An example of a latent error is:

Lab management fails to replace an old error-prone analyzer. This is an example of a latent error regarding:

What is one way to improve the connection between lab workers and patients?

An example of improving connection between lab workers and ICU physicians is:

Which data entry errors are more in need of a strong intervention?

Errors that produce false positive lab results can lead to which of the following?

The most specific and meaningful way to refer to an error in which a patient nearly bled to death due to an INR error is:

Different types of COVID-19 testing have the same false negative rate.

Which of the following is a patient safety problem caused by a false negative COVID-19 test?

A false negative COVID-19 result can be caused by a mislabeled specimen.

Which of the following is most likely to increase the chance of errors with a manual test method?

What is the best advice for a patient with a cholesterol level of 242 mg/dL?

Which safety problem can be caused by the failure of the lab to call a critical value?

Which of the following is a difficulty associated with critical value policies?

An example of 'Deference to Expertise' in patient safety is:

When relaying concerns about interpretation of a test result, it is better for a pathologist to speak directly with a care provider than to an administrative assistant who relays the concern.

This is an example of what kind of lab error: A genetic test result comes back, but a lab worker forgets to enter the result in the medical record.

If a phlebotomist starts noticing conditions like a slight cough and fever, what should he do?

A false positive COVID-19 result can be caused by a mislabeled specimen.

Which of the following increases the chance of errors with a barcode-based system for phlebotomy?

ALL abnormal test results are panic and should result in a telephone call from lab personnel to a care provider.

Who is the most appropriate person to notify with a panic value?

An example of a patient safety improvement is:

Which of the following problems is preventable?

Which of the following can provide information helpful for Quality Improvement projects?

Which of the following guarantees that a lab will not commit any errors?

Who is most likely to successfully troubleshoot a lab instrument in an emergency?

Study Notes

Patient Safety and Errors in Lab Testing

Improving Connections and Communication

Error Impact and Response Strategies

COVID-19 Testing Insights

Handling Lab Responsibilities

Improving Safety Protocols

Quality Improvement and Safety Projects

General Knowledge on Lab Operations

Studying That Suits You

Description

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