Course Code: REL-ACU-0-MEFLP
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Learning Objectives:
Review possible sources of error within the total testing process and the types of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical errors that occur in a medical laboratory.
Recall the laboratory professional’s role in furthering the efforts to reduce medical errors and how The Joint Commission’s patient safety goals can be used in the laboratory setting.
Define the goals of root cause analysis and its value in the laboratory setting.
Outline:
Section 1: Your Role and Error History
Your Work Matters
Error Identification
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Errors: Types and Sources
Testing Process
Pre-Analytical Errors
Analytical Errors
Post-Analytical Errors
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Recommended Approaches to Error Prevention
The IOM
Recommendations from The Joint Commission
Certification
Incident Reporting in Laboratory Diagnostics
Sentinel Event
Other Patient Safety Occurrences
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Employee and Patient Safety
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Clinical Vignette
Chris’ Hospital Laboratory
Section 5: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resource
References
Writer: Andrea Powell, RN, BSN
Andrea Powell, RN, BSN is a SME writer for Relias with a focus on acute care. She has over 11 years of clinical nursing experience, spanning across multiple nursing specialties. Her primary focus has been in critical care, with an affinity to surgical nursing. She also has experience in intraoperative nursing and post-anesthesia care. Andrea has served as a clinical team leader, preceptor and charge nurse to colleagues throughout her nursing career. She has a passion for the education of healthcare professionals and an aspiration for excellence in the healthcare delivery system.
Subject Matter Expert: Leonard Levin, MS, MBA, RM(NRCM), M(ASCP)
Mr. Levin obtained his BS degree in Biochemistry from Albright College, MS degree in Microbiology & Immunology from Temple University, and MBA in Finance from LaSalle University. He worked in nine hospital clinical laboratories for 38 years, including seven years as a microbiology supervisor and 28 years as a laboratory administrative director. Additionally, he worked as an assistant editor for a biology reference publication and editor-in-chief of an AIDS newsletter. He is currently a freelance scientific writer and laboratory management consultant.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Clinical Laboratory Personnel; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.