Evaluation of Discrepancies in Patients' Results— An Aspect of Computer-Assisted Quality Control

Abstract

Abstract A computer program has been devised to select those clinical chemistry results that have a high probability of error for inclusion on a discrepancy report, which is printed on demand throughout the day. Each report entry is evaluated by a supervisor, who decides whether to accept the result or to re-assay. With this program, 8.4% of all results were included on the report, 1.9% were re-assayed, and 0.83% were judged to be in error and corrected. Checking results at the time of their release to the computer has led to earlier report delivery and more convenient timing of re-assays without compromise of patient safety.