engleski

THE EDUCATION CAN MINIMIZE ERRORS IN PREANALITICAL PHASE OF LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS

Preanalytical phase, the most vulnerable part of laboratory diagnostics influences the laboratory results. The main errors in preanalytical phase could be avoided if education process is harmonized with diagnostic facilities. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge on preanalytical phase in two groups of students volunteering in Internal Diseases Clinic (IC) and Surgery, Orthopedics and Ophthalmology Clinic (SC), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. The study was performed using an anonymous questionnaire with 13 statements related to preanalytical phase. The questionnaire was completed by 15 volunteers in IC and 9 volunteers in SC. Although analysis showed that there were no significant differences, volunteers in IC had higher proportion of correct answers (82%) compared to volunteers in SC (66%). If our questionnaire would be treated as a test, 27% of IC students and 33% of SC students have had less than 60% of correct answers, and therefore would have failed the test. Students from IC have better results according to handling blood samples (100%) compare with students from SC (67%) but both groups are unaware of importance of proper sample storage (13% IC ; 22% SC). Results showed that students understand relevance of blood and anticoagulant ratio (100% correct answers in both groups) but experience of laboratory staff indicate that clinicians do not apply it. Although volunteers know that hemolysis and lipemia are the most frequently encountered interferences in serum (87% IC ; 100% SC), 60% students from IC and 44% students from SC understand that creatine kinase activity is not reliable in hemolytic serum. Urine protein and creatinine ratio is relevant parameter of kidney damage but only 27% volunteers in IC and 11% in SC understand that urine total protein concentration is not reliable in hematuria. In conclusion, although it is expected that level of knowledge in volunteers is higher than in general veterinary medicine student population, more than 25% of student included in survey did not answer correctly. The results showed that preanalytical protocols should be implemented in education programs of veterinary medicine students

Preanalytical phase ; volunteers ; questionnaire

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