National Survey on Delta Check Practices in Clinical Laboratories Across Pakistan

Delta check is a quality control tool in clinical laboratory that compares a patient's current test results with previous ones. It is often considered to be a useful tool to identify pre-analytical errors. Delta check procedures vary across labs. A survey was conducted to determine national delta check practices.

An online survey was sent to pathologists. Data was analyzed by Microsoft excel and figures were generated via R statistical software.

The survey was sent out to 84 participants. There were 30 (35.7%) final responses, after exclusion of duplicates and incomplete entries. Respondents varied in their designations from Professor 2(6.7%) to Assistant Professor 10(33.3%). Most respondents 25 (83.3%) were Fellows of College of Physicians and Surgeons, while there were 3(10%) PhDs. Work experience varied from less than 3 years, 5(16.7%) to more than 10 years, 17(56.7%). 25 labs surveyed were from tertiary care hospitals. Most laboratories were in Sindh Province, 13 (43.3%). Delta check procedures were used by 19(63.3%) labs, of which 6(31.6%) used automated checks, 12(63.2%) had defined delta limits for different tests, 15(78.9%) had defined time limits to check delta results, 17(89.5%) had a checklist for its investigation and 10(52.6%) had a Laboratory Information System or middleware to block failed delta results. Most of the respondents considered the smallest available option as the ideal delta difference value for blocking results.

Delta check procedures vary among surveyed labs and efforts are required for the formulation of national guidelines to synchronise and standardize delta check practices.