Laboratory Management Expert Discusses Clerical Mistake in Cancer Test Results

Case Overview

This case involves a 70-year-old woman from Kansas who had routine visits with her internist to screen for cancer. She had a family history of a particular type of cancer, and standard blood work was ordered for cancer screening. However, there was a data entry error and the patient was incorrectly tagged as male, thus, suspicious test figures weren’t flagged. The patient had results that were out of normal range for several years before they were investigated. Later, she was diagnosed with advanced cancer, and shortly thereafter the gender discrepancy error was identified on her previous lab studies. It was alleged that the lab was negligent in its record keeping, and that it had deviated from widely accepted industry practices designed to prevent mistakes of this nature.

Questions to the Chemistry expert and their responses

Have you previously overseen policy / procedures to prevent against such errors from occurring?

I have over 34 years of experience in clinical laboratory leadership and management, which includes over 15 years of serving as a College of American Pathologists (CAP) laboratory accreditation program Inspector. Over 17 of those years were as a Laboratory Manager, where I focused on quality assurance and quality management activities. As a Laboratory Manager and Chief Medical Technologist, I have been directly responsible for the development, maintenance and review of policies and procedures involved in error prevention, identification and remediation.

Have you previously published or lectured on the subject of data quality preservation, ensuring accurate information is captured and conveyed to patients and providers?

I have lectured on these subjects on many occasions, all over the world.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert earned his MS from New York Medical College and completed an MBA from Westchester University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of prestigious societies such as the Society of American Federal Medical Laboratory Scientists, the American Society for Microbiology, the Clinical Laboratory Management Association and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. He has published 1 peer-reviewed journal and has presented multiple national and international lectures. He is a former Adjunct Instructor in Science from Rockland Community College, former Laboratory Manager & Microbiologist at Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center Laboratory Services. He is the current Chair, Department of Pathology Quality Management Team at a major hospital as well as Chief Medical Technologist.

E-034857

Specialties:

Chemistry