Chapter 1 review

• Laboratory Error Location: Approximately 56 percent of laboratory error occurs during the preexamination phase of laboratory testing.

• Waived Testing: Tests considered easy to perform with little risk of error, requiring no special training or education.

• Joint Commission Accreditation: An independent organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations, including laboratories, to improve safety and quality of care.

• CAP’s Role: An organization of board-certified pathologists advocating for high-quality and cost-effective medical care, providing laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing.

• COLA, Inc.’s Function: A physician-directed accrediting agency enabling POLs and independent laboratories to meet CLIA and other regulatory requirements.

• CLSI Standards Significance: Globally recognized standards for laboratory testing, including blood collection, considered the standard of care in legal situations.

• Patient Information Disclosure: Patient information can only be shared with healthcare professionals who have a medical need to know, and laboratory results require patient permission for release.

• Informed Consent: Healthcare professionals must explain the blood collection procedure to patients, stressing that their healthcare provider ordered the test. Patients must believe the professional is competent to perform the procedure.

• Consent Types: Expressed consent (written or verbal) is required for invasive procedures, while implied consent (patient’s action) is common for blood collection.

• Specimen Collection for Legal Proceedings: Follow policies, document chain of custody, and use special forms and containers.

• Chain of Infection: Six-step process describing disease spread: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Infections acquired by patients due to healthcare procedures, occurring in various healthcare settings.

• Infection Control Measures: Hand sanitizing, wearing appropriate PPE, changing gloves between patients, and using safety devices for needles.

• Bloodborne Pathogen Prevention: Strict adherence to safety precautions, including PPE use, workstation disinfection, and sharps disposal.

• Laboratory Quality Management Goal: Ensure accurate and reliable test results for quality patient care.