Proficiency-based progression intern training to reduce critical blood sampling errors including ‘wrong blood in tube’

• Published in: HRB open research 2021, Vol.4, p.77
• Main Authors: O' Herlihy, Noirin, Griffin, Sarah, Gaffney, Robert, Henn, Patrick, Khashan, Ali S., Ring, Mary, Gallagher, Anthony, Cahill, Mary R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2515-4826; 2515-4826
• DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.13329.2

Background: Blood sampling errors including ‘wrong blood in tube’ (WBIT) may have adverse effects on clinical outcomes. WBIT errors occur when the blood sample in the tube is not that of the patient identified on the label. This study aims to determine the effect of proficiency-based progression (PBP) training in phlebotomy on the rate of blood sampling errors (including WBIT). Methods: A non-randomised controlled trial compared the blood sampling error rate of 43 historical controls who had not undergone PBP training in 2016 to 44 PBP trained interventional groups in 2017. In 2018, the PBP training programme was implemented and the blood sampling error rate of 46 interns was compared to the 43 historical controls in 2016. Data analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis adjusting for sample timing. Results: In 2016, 43 interns had a total blood sample error rate of 2.4%, compared to 44 interns in 2017, who had error rate of 1.2% (adjusted OR=0.50, 95% CI 0.36-0.70;