Wrong diagnosis: the testing problem nobody wants to own

Every blood sample collected has a biological deadline. Laboratories have a four-hour window to process specimens before cellular degradation sets in and haemolysis begins to compromise results. In a busy laboratory which handles thousands of samples a day, the window is sliding shut to make samples unusable or inaccurate. In a best-case scenario the patient is recalled, re-bled, and rebooked, at least doubling the cost of the diagnostic testing. In a worst case their treatment is compromised.

Despite the extent of the problem, the conversation about why NHS trusts are still missing these targets continues to be misdirected: laboratories are routinely under the microscope but the process of phlebotomy is overlooked.

Sources of errors