Abstract
Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude
about pre-analytical errors amongst healthcare workers
in District head Quarter (DHQ) Teaching Hospital,
Sahiwal, Pakistan.
Methodology: This questionnaire-based web survey
was done at Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal from
July to August 2020. We used 24 multiple choicequestion based Questionnaire, developed as per WHO
& CLSI guidelines. It was distributed among
healthcare workers through whatsapp messenger and
responses were recorded.
Results: The frequency of correct responses varied
from 14.9% to 87%. More than 80% of respondents
were aware of standard phlebotomy protocols,
rejection criteria, and standard operating procedure of
sampling for biochemical, hematological and arterial
blood gas analysis. 65 – 79% of respondents were
aware of correct vacutainers and anti-coagulants used
for different tests. Poor responses, 17.1% and 14.9%
were recorded for sample mixing and effect of delay in
analysis respectively.
Conclusion: Healthcare workers in DHQ Teaching
Hospital, Sahiwal are not fully aware about basic
laboratory protocols. This unawareness can lead to
generation of erroneous lab reports. Formal education
and training is needed to create awareness among
healthcare workers.
Keywords: Awareness, healthcare workers,
phlebotomy, pre-analytical errors, sample.
