Reduction of multi-dimensional laboratory data to a two-dimensional plot: a novel technique for the identification of laboratory error
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Steven C. Kazmierczak
Abstract
Background: The clinical laboratory generates large amounts of patient-specific data. Detection of errors that arise during pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes is difficult. We performed a pilot study, utilizing a multidimensional data reduction technique, to assess the utility of this method for identifying errors in laboratory data.
Methods: We evaluated 13,670 individual patient records collected over a 2-month period from hospital inpatients and outpatients. We utilized those patient records that contained a complete set of 14 different biochemical analytes. We used two-dimensional generative topographic mapping to project the 14-dimensional record to a two-dimensional space.
Results and conclusions: The use of a two-dimensional generative topographic mapping technique to plot multi-analyte patient data as a two-dimensional graph allows for the rapid identification of potentially anomalous data. Although we performed a retrospective analysis, this technique has the benefit of being able to assess laboratory-generated data in real time, allowing for the rapid identification and correction of anomalous data before they are released to the physician. In addition, serial laboratory multi-analyte data for an individual patient can also be plotted as a two-dimensional plot. This tool might also be useful for assessing patient wellbeing and prognosis.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:749–52.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Foreword
- Errors in laboratory medicine and patient safety: the road ahead
- How can we make laboratory testing safer?
- “Pre-pre” and “post-post” analytical error: high-incidence patient safety hazards involving the clinical laboratory
- Risk management in the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing
- Recommendations for detection and management of unsuitable samples in clinical laboratories
- Effects of analytic variations in creatinine measurements on the classification of renal disease using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Process and risk analysis to reduce errors in clinical laboratories
- Reduction of multi-dimensional laboratory data to a two-dimensional plot: a novel technique for the identification of laboratory error
- Does external evaluation of laboratories improve patient safety?
- Risk management in laboratory medicine: quality assurance programs and professional competence
- Point-of-care testing, medical error, and patient safety: a 2007 assessment
- Blood gas and patient safety: considerations based on experience developed in accordance with the Risk Management perspective
- The role of in vitro diagnostic companies in reducing laboratory error
- Application of the Six Sigma concept in clinical laboratories: a review
- One hundred years of laboratory testing and patient safety
Articles in the same Issue
- Foreword
- Errors in laboratory medicine and patient safety: the road ahead
- How can we make laboratory testing safer?
- “Pre-pre” and “post-post” analytical error: high-incidence patient safety hazards involving the clinical laboratory
- Risk management in the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing
- Recommendations for detection and management of unsuitable samples in clinical laboratories
- Effects of analytic variations in creatinine measurements on the classification of renal disease using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Process and risk analysis to reduce errors in clinical laboratories
- Reduction of multi-dimensional laboratory data to a two-dimensional plot: a novel technique for the identification of laboratory error
- Does external evaluation of laboratories improve patient safety?
- Risk management in laboratory medicine: quality assurance programs and professional competence
- Point-of-care testing, medical error, and patient safety: a 2007 assessment
- Blood gas and patient safety: considerations based on experience developed in accordance with the Risk Management perspective
- The role of in vitro diagnostic companies in reducing laboratory error
- Application of the Six Sigma concept in clinical laboratories: a review
- One hundred years of laboratory testing and patient safety
