Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle
Introduction: Preanalytical steps are the major sources of error in the clinical laboratory. The analytical errors can be corrected by quality control procedures but there is a need for stringent quality checks in the preanalytical area as these processes are done outside the laboratory. Sigma value...
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Al Ameen Medical College
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/5%20AJMS%20V18.N3.2025%20p%20180-186.pdf |
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| author | Sweta Kulkarni S. Vinothini Wilma Delphine Silvia CR |
| author_facet | Sweta Kulkarni S. Vinothini Wilma Delphine Silvia CR |
| author_sort | Sweta Kulkarni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Preanalytical steps are the major sources of error in the clinical laboratory. The analytical errors can be corrected by quality control procedures but there is a need for stringent quality checks in the preanalytical area as these processes are done outside the laboratory. Sigma value depicts the performance of the laboratory and its quality measures. Hence in the present study, six sigma and Pareto principle were applied to preanalytical quality indicators to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Materials and Methods: The present analytical interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining Institute’s ethical waiver. A total of 31,003 samples before intervention and 31,114 samples after intervention were screened for preanalytical errors in sample collection like Hemolysed, clotted, inadequate sample, Lipemic from clinical biochemistry section over a period of one year. Six sigma values were calculated using the Westgard online formula. Results: The clotted and inadequate samples were the major preanalytical errors with a sigma value of 3.5 and after intervention sigma value was 4.6 and 4.7 respectively. The Pareto`s chart (80/20 rule) also depicted the same results. Conclusion: The interventions like training and providing standard operating procedures to laboratory technicians and nursing staff reduces the frequency of preanalytical errors and improves the sigma value. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea73a3d763cd4e71968396fa19af214f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0974-1143 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Al Ameen Medical College |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea73a3d763cd4e71968396fa19af214f2025-08-20T03:17:44ZengAl Ameen Medical CollegeAl Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences0974-11432025-07-011803180186Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principleSweta Kulkarni0S. Vinothini1Wilma Delphine Silvia CR2Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Vazhudavur Road, Kathirkamam, Puducherry-605009, IndiaDepartment of Biochemistry, Asian Institute of Medical Academy, Near BSNL Office, Vandavasi-604408, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Biochemistry, Akash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Prasannahalli Road, Devanahalli, Bengaluru-562110, Karnataka, IndiaIntroduction: Preanalytical steps are the major sources of error in the clinical laboratory. The analytical errors can be corrected by quality control procedures but there is a need for stringent quality checks in the preanalytical area as these processes are done outside the laboratory. Sigma value depicts the performance of the laboratory and its quality measures. Hence in the present study, six sigma and Pareto principle were applied to preanalytical quality indicators to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Materials and Methods: The present analytical interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining Institute’s ethical waiver. A total of 31,003 samples before intervention and 31,114 samples after intervention were screened for preanalytical errors in sample collection like Hemolysed, clotted, inadequate sample, Lipemic from clinical biochemistry section over a period of one year. Six sigma values were calculated using the Westgard online formula. Results: The clotted and inadequate samples were the major preanalytical errors with a sigma value of 3.5 and after intervention sigma value was 4.6 and 4.7 respectively. The Pareto`s chart (80/20 rule) also depicted the same results. Conclusion: The interventions like training and providing standard operating procedures to laboratory technicians and nursing staff reduces the frequency of preanalytical errors and improves the sigma value.https://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/5%20AJMS%20V18.N3.2025%20p%20180-186.pdfsix sigmapreanalyticalquality indicatorspareto’s chartintervention |
| spellingShingle | Sweta Kulkarni S. Vinothini Wilma Delphine Silvia CR Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences six sigma preanalytical quality indicators pareto’s chart intervention |
| title | Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle |
| title_full | Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle |
| title_fullStr | Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle |
| title_short | Impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and Pareto’s principle |
| title_sort | impact of intervention on preanalytical errors assessed by six sigma and pareto s principle |
| topic | six sigma preanalytical quality indicators pareto’s chart intervention |
| url | https://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/5%20AJMS%20V18.N3.2025%20p%20180-186.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT swetakulkarni impactofinterventiononpreanalyticalerrorsassessedbysixsigmaandparetosprinciple AT svinothini impactofinterventiononpreanalyticalerrorsassessedbysixsigmaandparetosprinciple AT wilmadelphinesilviacr impactofinterventiononpreanalyticalerrorsassessedbysixsigmaandparetosprinciple |