Adherence To The Clinical Laboratory Quality Standard In Public Primary Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

The improvement of clinical laboratory procedures has become a priority for the Regional Department of Health in Andalusia (Spain) due to their clinical and economic significance. A single laboratory protocol was put into place, which included standardizing criteria for handling, processing, and reporting samples.

This study aims to characterize the level of adherence to the clinical laboratory protocol during the preanalytical phase, encompassing the analytical request through the laboratory delivery, along with the factors that contribute to this compliance. 214 medical professionals who work in primary care settings during the preanalytical stage of laboratory procedures were included in the cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were gathered using an 11-item self-report questionnaire. Every item was evaluated independently using a 0–10 scale. A score of five points served as the threshold. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed in conjunction with descriptive analysis to ascertain differences between subgroups. The questionnaire's internal consistency was taken into account.

There were found to be statistically significant distinctions between accredited and non-accredited centers. There were no appreciable differences between the centers with and without a teaching activity. Every item was measured independently. Primary healthcare workers followed the protocol appropriately; they play a crucial role in the collection and transportation of samples during the preanalytical stage. Standardization should therefore be given top priority in order to lower errors and enhance clinical safety and outcomes.