Nora Nikolac1, Ana-Maria Simundic2, Sanja Kackov3, Tihana Serdar4, Adrijana Dorotic5, Ksenija Fumic6, Jelena Gudasic-Vrdoljak7, Kornelija Klenkar8, Jadranka Sambunjak9, Valentina Vidranski10. 1. University Department of Chemistry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: nora.nikolac@gmail.com. 2. University Department of Chemistry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Policlinic Bonifarm, Zagreb, Croatia. 4. Clinical Department for Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia. 5. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljevic, Zagreb, Croatia. 6. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 7. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, General Hospital Karlovac Karlovac, Croatia. 8. Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, General Hospital Zabok, Zabok, Croatia. 9. Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, General Hospital Zadar, Zadar, Croatia. 10. Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to evaluate to what extent the scope and content of information provided to patients is standardized across medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two on-line self-report surveys were sent out: Survey A regarding attitudes on importance of patient preparation and Survey B on the contents of patient preparation instructions. RESULTS: 13/118 laboratories (11%) do not provide written instructions to patients on how to prepare for laboratory testing, and 36 (40%) do not include information about water intake in their instructions. Only half of laboratories provide instructions for prostate-specific antigen (53.8%), female sex hormones (53.7%) and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) (52.5%). Inadequate information about fasting status (55.0%) and 24 hour urine collection (77.9%) were frequent errors with high severity and were associated with the greatest potential to cause patient harm. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory professionals in Croatia have a positive attitude towards the importance of patient preparation for laboratory testing. However, the information for laboratory testing is not standardized and frequently lacks guidance for tests related to TDM, coagulation and endocrinology. This study highlights the need for standardized, updated and evidence-based recommendations for patient preparation in order to minimize the risk for patients.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to evaluate to what extent the scope and content of information provided to patients is standardized across medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two on-line self-report surveys were sent out: Survey A regarding attitudes on importance of patient preparation and Survey B on the contents of patient preparation instructions. RESULTS: 13/118 laboratories (11%) do not provide written instructions to patients on how to prepare for laboratory testing, and 36 (40%) do not include information about water intake in their instructions. Only half of laboratories provide instructions for prostate-specific antigen (53.8%), female sex hormones (53.7%) and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) (52.5%). Inadequate information about fasting status (55.0%) and 24 hour urine collection (77.9%) were frequent errors with high severity and were associated with the greatest potential to cause patient harm. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory professionals in Croatia have a positive attitude towards the importance of patient preparation for laboratory testing. However, the information for laboratory testing is not standardized and frequently lacks guidance for tests related to TDM, coagulation and endocrinology. This study highlights the need for standardized, updated and evidence-based recommendations for patient preparation in order to minimize the risk for patients.