QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ERROR REDUCTION STRATEGIES IN CLINICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES

Abstract

The practice of clinical pathology laboratories is highly dependent on error reduction and quality assurance, which can directly impact in the reliability of diagnosis and patient outcomes. In this study, quality assurance (QA) strategies and error mitigation (EM) techniques were assessed in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stages of laboratory testing. The quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that most of the errors were related to the pre analytical phase, with the main causes being related to the collection, labelling and handling of the specimens. The analytical errors occurred primarily due to instrument calibration, reagent variation, and deviations in the procedures while post analytical errors were mostly related to reporting and communication. Comprehensive QA systems (internal quality control, external proficiency testing, standard procedures, laboratory information systems) led to a substantial decrease in overall error percentages and to better turnaround times. Structured staff training programs led to better compliance and technical skills, and automation and digital integration contributed to traceability and consistency. Systemic weaknesses were identified and prevented from recurring by the use of risk management tools like root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action frameworks. The results show that a quality assurance system based on a holistic and system-based approach with substantial improvement of laboratory performance and diagnostic results. The study's findings indicate that the continuous commitment of quality management, backed by technology and ongoing education is crucial to reduce the number of errors and provide high-quality laboratory services in today's clinical pathology practice.