Specimen Processing chapter 12
accuracy (n) - answer-achieving complete correctness or acceptable measures as close as
possible to the true value
audit - answer-review of records and documents. performed to find any weaknesses in a
process.
Calibration - answer-is a procedure used to ensure that equipment is providing accurate
results.
College of American Pathologist (CAP) - answer-all procedures performed at laboratories
accredited by CAP are observed during inspections to ensure compliance with the
laboratory's SOP.
competency assessment - answer-method of documenting an employee's ability to perform
assigned tasks correctly.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQM) - answer-another term for quality assessment and
process improvment
Control material - answer-a liquid, serum or freeze dried material, that has been tested by
the manufacturer and that has a known value.
Corrective action - answer-steps to remedy a problem
Delta check - answer-amount of change in patient results from one time to the next. used to
confirm the validity of unexpected variation in patient test results from one collection time to
another, before reporting.
Documenting Quality control activities - answer-all quality control test for each analyte tested
on each instrument are documented on quality control log sheets, either paper or electronic.
Evaluating indicators - answer-specific, scheduled evaluations of various documents such as
patient records, incident reports, and lab reports and direct patient observation may be used.
Evaluation - answer-Examination of the evidence found when measuring the indicators to
determine the acceptability of both outcomes and processes.
exam QC analytic instruments known analyte - answer-testing samples with known
concentrations of an analyte to determine if the instrument is functioning correctly
exam QC analytic instruments parameters - answer-checking internal instruments temps,
pressure, and other parameters needing monitoring during testing
exam QC incubators and water baths - answer-recording temps to determine if the
instrument is at the correct temp prior to use.
Incident forms - answer-Documents recording procedural or process errors
Indicators - answer-Observable events used as evidence. That are measurable, specific,
well defined and essential to QA. Indicators are designed to asses areas of care that tend to
cause problems or negative outcomes. They measure Quality, accuracy, timeliness,
, customer satisfaction, adequacy, and other factors. "wristband errors will be less than 1%" is
one common example.
Laboratory Quality Assurance policy and procedure manual. - answer-always refer to when
making decisions about specimen collection procedures. times, diurnal variations if the test
has a scheduled time and patient arrives late. contact the physician who ordered test
immediately.
Levey-Jennings chart - answer-Graph showing acceptable limits for results of control
substance testing. used to visualize whether results fall within the acceptable parameters or
if there is a trend or shift.
Outcomes - answer-results of a test or procedure. Conditions and length of hospital stay
parameters (n) - answer-Limitations
phlebotomy chain of accountability - answer-*** Plebs are ALWAYS responsible for
1. interpreting the physicians orders
2. preparing the lab requisition and labels
***3. identifying the patient
***4. collecting the specimen
***5. labeling the specimen
***6. transporting the specimen
7. processing the specimen
8. analyzing the specimen
9. reporting the results
post exam QC patient results phoned - answer-having phoned results read back by staff
accepting results by phone
post exam QC patient results questionable results - answer-recollection of specimen to
confirm questionable results
post exam QC patient results review - answer-supervisor review of results for accuracy
post exam QC patient results sample - answer-retesting sample when results are critical or
flagged with delta check error
pre exam QC centrifuges - answer-checking the speed calibration with a tachometer to
determine if the centrifuge setting and timer reflect accurate rotations per minute (RPMs)
And elapsed time
pre exam QC refrigerators and freezers - answer-recording min and max temps on a dailey
basis to determine if stored items are maintained at correct temp
pre exam QC spec collection - answer-checking the quality of phlebotomy equipment prior to
use for specimen collection.
pre exam QC spec lab - answer-labeling evacuated tubes only after collection prior to leavinf
the patient
pre exam QC spec labeling - answer-review specimen label to determine if the required info
is on the tube to ensure correct patient id.
accuracy (n) - answer-achieving complete correctness or acceptable measures as close as
possible to the true value
audit - answer-review of records and documents. performed to find any weaknesses in a
process.
Calibration - answer-is a procedure used to ensure that equipment is providing accurate
results.
College of American Pathologist (CAP) - answer-all procedures performed at laboratories
accredited by CAP are observed during inspections to ensure compliance with the
laboratory's SOP.
competency assessment - answer-method of documenting an employee's ability to perform
assigned tasks correctly.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQM) - answer-another term for quality assessment and
process improvment
Control material - answer-a liquid, serum or freeze dried material, that has been tested by
the manufacturer and that has a known value.
Corrective action - answer-steps to remedy a problem
Delta check - answer-amount of change in patient results from one time to the next. used to
confirm the validity of unexpected variation in patient test results from one collection time to
another, before reporting.
Documenting Quality control activities - answer-all quality control test for each analyte tested
on each instrument are documented on quality control log sheets, either paper or electronic.
Evaluating indicators - answer-specific, scheduled evaluations of various documents such as
patient records, incident reports, and lab reports and direct patient observation may be used.
Evaluation - answer-Examination of the evidence found when measuring the indicators to
determine the acceptability of both outcomes and processes.
exam QC analytic instruments known analyte - answer-testing samples with known
concentrations of an analyte to determine if the instrument is functioning correctly
exam QC analytic instruments parameters - answer-checking internal instruments temps,
pressure, and other parameters needing monitoring during testing
exam QC incubators and water baths - answer-recording temps to determine if the
instrument is at the correct temp prior to use.
Incident forms - answer-Documents recording procedural or process errors
Indicators - answer-Observable events used as evidence. That are measurable, specific,
well defined and essential to QA. Indicators are designed to asses areas of care that tend to
cause problems or negative outcomes. They measure Quality, accuracy, timeliness,
, customer satisfaction, adequacy, and other factors. "wristband errors will be less than 1%" is
one common example.
Laboratory Quality Assurance policy and procedure manual. - answer-always refer to when
making decisions about specimen collection procedures. times, diurnal variations if the test
has a scheduled time and patient arrives late. contact the physician who ordered test
immediately.
Levey-Jennings chart - answer-Graph showing acceptable limits for results of control
substance testing. used to visualize whether results fall within the acceptable parameters or
if there is a trend or shift.
Outcomes - answer-results of a test or procedure. Conditions and length of hospital stay
parameters (n) - answer-Limitations
phlebotomy chain of accountability - answer-*** Plebs are ALWAYS responsible for
1. interpreting the physicians orders
2. preparing the lab requisition and labels
***3. identifying the patient
***4. collecting the specimen
***5. labeling the specimen
***6. transporting the specimen
7. processing the specimen
8. analyzing the specimen
9. reporting the results
post exam QC patient results phoned - answer-having phoned results read back by staff
accepting results by phone
post exam QC patient results questionable results - answer-recollection of specimen to
confirm questionable results
post exam QC patient results review - answer-supervisor review of results for accuracy
post exam QC patient results sample - answer-retesting sample when results are critical or
flagged with delta check error
pre exam QC centrifuges - answer-checking the speed calibration with a tachometer to
determine if the centrifuge setting and timer reflect accurate rotations per minute (RPMs)
And elapsed time
pre exam QC refrigerators and freezers - answer-recording min and max temps on a dailey
basis to determine if stored items are maintained at correct temp
pre exam QC spec collection - answer-checking the quality of phlebotomy equipment prior to
use for specimen collection.
pre exam QC spec lab - answer-labeling evacuated tubes only after collection prior to leavinf
the patient
pre exam QC spec labeling - answer-review specimen label to determine if the required info
is on the tube to ensure correct patient id.
