Consequences of the mix-up of blood gas samples
Accurate specimen labeling is critical. Mixing up samples can occur due to healthcare professionals failing to match patient identifiers with the correct order, failing to label a sample immediately after blood collection or transcription errors from manual data entry. [1-2]
These errors may have serious consequences. The mix-up of blood gas samples can lead to misdiagnosis, failure to provide proper care, lost billing opportunities or the requirement of resampling. Mixing up blood gas samples can lead to results of no clinical value or worse, adverse patient outcomes. [1]
Avoiding the mix-up of blood gas samples, a priority
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommends labeling blood gas samples with the patient’s full name and second identifier. [3]
Mixing up blood gas samples is a growing concern. In December 2016, the U.S. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) released their annual National Patient Safety Goals, the purpose of which is to improve patient safety. The JCAHO listed “identifying patients correctly” as their number one National Patient Safety Goal for 2017. [4]
1st Automatic, integrated with safePICO syringes
Identify patients correctly and obtain a smoother workflow with 1st Automatic. This automated data registration system connects the caregiver, the sample, and the patient. 1st Automatic works with the safePICO syringe for correct, automatic linkage between the blood gas sample you collect and the patient.
The safePICO syringe is designed to help you reduce the risk of preanalytical errors. In addition to mixing up blood gas samples, examples of such errors are clots in, hemolysis of or air bubbles in the sample, or needlestick injuries.