Abstract
Objective: When collecting blood during health check-ups, various incidents or accidents may occur and their prevention is important for maintaining safety and quality in health check-ups. We recently examined the causes of such incidents and accidents, measures to prevent their recurrence and points to be noted when collecting blood.
Methods: We searched information published on the website of the Japan Council for Quality Health Care for cases of incidents and accidents occurring in blood collection, and examined their causes and prevention measures based on case summaries.
Results: Ninety-six cases of incidents or accidents as of April 2012 were examined. Seventy-six cases had occurred at the time of blood collection, 8 cases after blood collection, 11 cases at the time of evaluating test results or reporting and 1 case came under the category of others. Thus, most incidents or accidents occurred at the time of blood collection. Cases included mistakes regarding patients or samples, peripheral nerve disorders, errors in reporting examination results, delay in reporting and forgetfulness in reporting. Patients had been affected in various ways. Prevention measures reported included system level ones which were considered effective.
Conclusions: In order to perform a high safety, high quality blood testing service for health check-ups, consideration should be given to the characteristics of service processes and establishment of an integrated incident/accident prevention system in healthcare facilities. This should include the preparation of various manuals, staff training and its evaluation, as well as the checking and maintenance of equipment.
