Implementation of nine quality indicators in a hospital emergency clinical laboratory

Background: Quality indicators are tools used to monitor specific activities within a process and improve it. In the area of clinical laboratories, the National Accreditation Standards for Providers of Health and the ISO 15189 standard recommend the implementation of indicators that monitor the test cycle with emphasis on those that contribute to a safer health care. Aim: To describe the implementation of nine indicators in a hospital clinical laboratory and their measurement during one yea!: Material and Methods: The indicators implemented and measured were four of the pre-analytical phase (number of rejected samples, times of transport blood culture contamination and blood cultures inoculated with adequate blood volumes), two of the analytical phase (coherence of Gram stains of blood culture with microorganism cultured and correct results in external quality control surveys) and three of the post-analytical phase (compliance with order to report lapse goals, corrected reports and alert values report). Results: Two indicators of pre-analytical phase did not meet the per determined targets: number of rejected samples and blood cultures inoculated with adequate blood volume. All indicators of the analytical and post analytical phases were within the pre-determined targets. Conclusions: Coordinated work should be initiated especially with the nursing service to correct the two indicators that did not meet the target. The incorporation of quality indicators to monitor critical processes within the laboratory was undoubtedly an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. (Rev Med Chile 2011; 139: 205-214).