Specimen rejections among referred specimens through referral network to the Amhara Public Health Institute for laboratory testing, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the magnitude, trend and reasons of rejection among referred specimens through referral network to the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI) for laboratory testing.ResultsA total of 42,923 specimens were received at APHI reference laboratories. Of which, 221 (0.5%) specimens were rejected. CD4, HIV viral load, genexpert and EID specimens’ rejection rates were 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. CD4 specimens were rejected due to wrong package (84.2%) and presence of clots (15.8%). Un-centrifuge (46.9%), hemolysis (19.8%) and use of wrong tube (17.7%) were the main rejection reasons for HIV viral load specimens. Although viral load specimen rejection was improved from 1.8 to 0% up to February/2018, the problem was reoccurred and continued to the end of May (1.3%) and June (0.3%) 2018. Moreover, CD4 specimen rejection (4.3%) was out of the established target in May, and exposed infant diagnosis (EID) specimen rejection became increased since March 2018. Hence, appropriate corrective and preventive actions and close follow up could reduce the problem of specimen referral network.

Medical Laboratories Quality Management and Challenges in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

“…52 When we evaluated the service quality of medical laboratories with the standard specimen rejection rate, most Ethiopian medical laboratories had poor quality services. 25,26 In addition, this review noted that most laboratory tests had delayed TAT. 27 As good performance laboratory indicator, at least 90% of the tests need to be released within the target turnaround time.…”

“…The other quality challenges were limited on job training access 9,14,17,26,35,36,41,43 and high workload. 27,28,38,41,42 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International 2023:15…”

Blood specimen rejection rate in clinical laboratory: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Specimen collection is one of the initial pre-analytical processes that ensure accurate, reliable and timely results for patients [ 10 ]. Specimens are rejected by the laboratory if they do not meet predefined technical requirements for each specific analyte [ 11 ].…”

“…Specimens are rejected by the laboratory if they do not meet predefined technical requirements for each specific analyte [ 11 ]. When samples are rejected, it is important to inform authorized personnel that the sample is unsuitable for testing, and request another sample to be collected [ 10 ]. The rejection rate reflects the pre-analytical process of the laboratory path of workflow, which includes sample collection and transport [ 11 ].…”

The Role of GeneXpert MTB/RIF in Reducing Treatment Delay Among Multidrug Resistance Tuberculosis Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

“…The National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) of Ethiopia has developed guidelines for a safe referral system of sputum samples to central laboratories through the postal office system. 9 Apart with this previous studies determined the effect of socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical related characteristics on the timely initiation of TB treatment. 10 However, most of these previous studies are descriptive types determining the median time and making between-group comparisons without controlling potential confounders.…”