LabNotes - Volume 18, No. 1, 2008

From The Editor

As today's healthcare institutions seek to maximize productivity and increase quality and throughput, one area that must be addressed is the incidence of laboratory errors. In this issue of LabNotes, our feature article presents some of the possible root causes of these errors, including an examination of the Toyota system for "best practices" to eliminate waste and inefficiency in the lab.

In addition, efficiency practices play a role in processing urine specimens as well as blood, as spillage of samples may compromise other specimens and expose lab personnel to potential pathogens. Using a closed system for urine specimen collection provides an effective way to help maintain specimen integrity—from collection to diagnosis.

Expand your knowledge of coding and documenting patients’ conditions with our new web-based seminar, "Deciphering Coding’s Role in Reporting Never Events." If you are unable to attend the live event in late September, please visit our BD Vacutainer® website for a complete listing of our online learning library offerings.

We’ve also included an easy-reference tube guide to post in your lab. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues of LabNotes.

Ana Stankovic, MD, PhD, MSPH
Editor
Worldwide Vice President, Medical and Clinical Affairs
BD Diagnostics - Preanalytical Systems

Associate Editors
Leslie S. Magee, MBA, MT(ASCP)
Julie Ravo

Production Coordinator
Marion Plumley

Address all correspondence to: Leslie Magee, Associate Editor, LabNotes, BD Diagnostics - Preanalytical Systems, 1 Becton Drive MC325, Franklin Lakes, NJ USA 07417-1885.