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Cited by 18Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality ControlHealthcare Quality and ManagementQuality and Safety in Healthcare

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Preanalytical external quality assessment of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine and CROQALM: finding undetected weak spots

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Nikolac, Nora, Lenicek Krleza, Jasna, Simundic, Ana-Maria·2017·Biochemia Medica
DOI 10.11613/bm.2017.017PMC PMC5382847
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this paper is to present results of first two years of preanalytical external quality assessment (EQA) in Croatia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper summarizes results from 6 rounds of preanalytical EQA during 2014-2016 in 161-175 Croatian laboratories (number ranged between cycles). EQA was designed as an online survey of the compliance with National recommendations for phlebotomy (NRP). Forty-seven questions in 5 categories are analyzed (materials and equipment, patient identification, patient preparation, sampling and storage). Additionally, preanalytical cases are presented. Overall performance scores (Question score (Qscore) for compliance with NRP and Case score (Cscore) for preanalytical cases) are calculated for each question/case as a proportion of laboratories with satisfactory procedure (x 100). Qscores and Cscores ≥ 70 were classified as acceptable (maximal score = 100). RESULTS: In investigation of compliance with NRP, acceptable Qscores were obtained for 34/47 questions. The lowest scores were observed for the availability of sterile disposable tourniquets (Qscore = 15) and safe-sharp needles (Qscore = 34), obtaining patients address as an identifier (Qscore = 21), using glycolysis inhibitor tubes for glucose concentration measurement (Qscore = 21) and verification of manufacturers declarations on temperature and time of storage (Qscore = 31). There was no statistically significant difference in overall Qscore according to different categories of phlebotomy procedures (P = 0.284). The results of preanalytical cases showed acceptable Cscore values for all cases (89-96). CONCLUSION: First two years of preanalytical EQA showed good compliance with the NRP and excellent expertise in resolving complex preanalytical issues. Major critical spots are lack of availability of safe-sharp needles, disposable tourniquets and glucose inhibitor tubes.

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Research works printed but not linked: 26

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Metadata

Authors
Nikolac, N., Lenicek Krleza, J., & Simundic, A.-M.
Affiliations
Sisters of Charity Hospital (HR)
ORCID
Nikolac, Nora
Venue
Biochemia Medica
Publisher
Croatian Society for Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Published
2017
Volume
27
Issue
1
Pages
131-143
ISSN
  • 1330-0962 (ISSN-L)
  • 1846-7482
DOI
10.11613/bm.2017.017
PMC
PMC5382847
OpenAlex
W2586198021
Cited by
18
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4
FWCI
2.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Biochemia Medica (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Medical Laboratory Technology › Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Healthcare Quality and Management
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Medical Laboratory Technology › Quality and Safety in Healthcare
Keywords
external quality assessment, phlebotomy, laboratory compliance, patient identification, patient preparation, sample storage, glucose measurement
MeSH terms
Biochemistry, Blood Specimen Collection, Humans, Quality Assurance, Health Care, Quality Control, Surveys and Questionnaires, Specimen Handling, Medical Laboratory Science, Croatia, Phlebotomy, Clinical Laboratory Techniques

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