2016, Cilt 14, Sayı 1, Sayfa(lar) 032-039 |
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The Evaluation of Rejected Samples Prevalence Using Six Sigma |
Şerif Ercan |
Lüleburgaz Devlet Hastanesi, Tıbbi Biyokimya, Kırklareli, Türkiye |
Keywords: Quality assurance; quality indicators; patient safety; six sigma; total quality management |
Purpose: Preanalytical phase is the most common source of laboratory errors. Preanalytical errors
generally cause unsuitable samples for analysis. This study was aimed to evaluate prevalence and type
of rejected samples using six sigma as well as to determine the prevalence and type of rejected samples
at inpatient, outpatient, routine and stat patients.
Material and Method: The number and type of rejected samples were collected by laboratory
information system from 1 January to 31 December 2015.
Results: The ratio of total rejected samples was 0.33%. The most frequent reason for the rejection was
the clotted specimen (32.7%), followed by hemolyzed samples (28%) and incompatibility of blood /
anticoagulant ratio (12.5%). The frequency of rejected samples was higher in inpatient than outpatients.
Similarly, the frequency of rejected samples differed between routine and stat patients, being higher in
stat patients. Sigma value was calculated as 4.25 for total rejected samples. When six sigma values were
separately calculated according to reasons of rejection, it was found to be 4.37 to 5.87. Sigma value
was lower in inpatient compared to those of outpatient. In addition, stat patients had lower sigma value
than those of routine patients.
Conclusion: The frequency of rejected samples can be assessed by converting the number of rejected
samples to six sigma values. The frequency of rejected samples was found acceptable according to six
sigma values calculated in the present study. In addition, it was concluded that the rejected samples
should be more closely monitored in inpatients and stat patients.
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