ISAC Incident Response and Reporting 3

Question 1

A flow cytometry result for a pediatric patient is reported with the wrong patient identifier. This type of error is best classified as which category of laboratory incident?

Accepted Answer

Post-analytical error

Answer

Wrong patient identifier on a reported result is a post-analytical error because it occurs after the specimen has been analyzed and during the reporting phase.

Question 2

Which element is LEAST important to include in a formal laboratory incident report for a cytometry specimen mix-up?

Accepted Answer

The laboratory's annual revenue figures

Answer

Financial data is irrelevant to an incident report; the focus should be on the event details, involved personnel, and corrective actions.

Question 3

In a flow cytometry laboratory, what is the primary purpose of conducting a 'failure mode and effects analysis' (FMEA) proactively?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential failure points before they cause actual incidents

Answer

FMEA is a prospective risk assessment tool used to identify, prioritize, and mitigate potential failure modes before they result in patient harm or laboratory errors.

Question 4

After a critical cytometry result (e.g., blasts consistent with acute leukemia) is identified, what is the most appropriate communication action?

Accepted Answer

Directly contact the ordering physician or clinical team by phone and document the notification

Answer

Critical values require immediate verbal notification to the responsible clinician with documentation of who was notified, when, and what information was conveyed.

Question 5

A cytometry laboratory receives a blood sample that arrived hemolyzed and at ambient temperature after a 6-hour transit delay. What is the best course of action?

Accepted Answer

Reject the specimen, document the rejection reason, and notify the ordering provider to recollect

Answer

A specimen that is hemolyzed and temperature-compromised will yield unreliable flow cytometry results; rejection with documented reason and recollection request is the appropriate action.

(ISAC) International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Practice Test

(ISAC) International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Practice Test

ISAC Incident Response and Reporting 3