Impact of potassium test sample rejections on routine laboratory service, South Africa

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dc.contributor.author McAlpine, Sarah
dc.contributor.author Chale-Matsau, Bettina
dc.date.accessioned 2024-03-05T11:22:41Z
dc.date.available 2024-03-05T11:22:41Z
dc.date.issued 2023-12-12
dc.description DATA AVAILABILITY : The study is based on retrospective data. Authors confirm that data supporting the findings of the study are available within the manuscript. en_US
dc.description.abstract BACKGROUND : Accurate potassium measurements are necessary for effective clinical management of hyperkalaemia. Pre-analytical factors may affect laboratory measurements, leading to erroneous results and inappropriate patient management and negatively impact the efficiency and finances of laboratories and hospitals. OBJECTIVE : This study evaluated the impact of rejected potassium test requests on laboratory service. METHODS : We conducted a retrospective descriptive study to assess potassium test data at a public laboratory in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, using samples collected from an academic hospital, peripheral hospitals, and outpatient clinics between January 2018 to December 2018. We assessed the relationship between reasons for rejection and health facility type, as well as financial implications for the laboratory. RESULTS : The potassium result rejection rate was 15.1% (29 806 samples), out of the 197 405 requests received. The most common reasons for rejection were old sample (> 1 day old) (41.4%; 12 348 rejections) and haemolysis (38.2%; 11 398 rejections). The most frequent reason for rejections at the central, academic hospital was haemolysis (42.0%), while old sample was the most common reason for rejection at peripheral hospitals (43.4%; 4119/9493 requests) and outpatient health facilities (57.2%; 7208/12 605 requests) (p = 0.022). The total cost of potassium sample rejection over the study period was substantial, given the resource constraints in this setting. CONCLUSION : Peripheral hospitals and outpatient departments accounted for the majority of rejected potassium testing results, possibly resulting from delays in transportation; causing substantial financial impact on the laboratory. Improved sample collection, handling, and expedited transportation are recommended. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS : This study highlights the importance of appropriate sample collection and handling and the undesirable consequences of non-adherence to these pre-analytical considerations. en_US
dc.description.department Chemical Pathology en_US
dc.description.librarian am2024 en_US
dc.description.sdg SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being en_US
dc.description.uri http://www.ajlmonline.org en_US
dc.identifier.citation McAlpine S, Chale-Matsau B. Impact of potassium test sample rejections on routine laboratory service, South Africa. African Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2023;12(1), a2239. https://DOI.org/10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2239. en_US
dc.identifier.issn 2225-2002 (print)
dc.identifier.issn 2225-2010 (online)
dc.identifier.other 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2239
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95082
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher AOSIS en_US
dc.rights © 2023. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. en_US
dc.subject Hyperkalaemia en_US
dc.subject Pseudohyperkalaemia en_US
dc.subject Pre-analytical factors en_US
dc.subject Result rejection en_US
dc.subject Sample rejection en_US
dc.subject.other Health sciences articles SDG-03
dc.subject.other SDG-03: Good health and well-being
dc.title Impact of potassium test sample rejections on routine laboratory service, South Africa en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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