Errors also occur after analyses are completed and reported.

Postanalytic errors begin with the medical professionals who receive test results, and they include interpretation of the results. These errors can occur at--the bedside, chair-side, hospital, clinic-- wherever the patient and the medical professional are located.

The possibility for postanalytic medical error continues through diagnosis and treatment procedures and processes.

These medical errors occur during the time after the laboratory reports test results.

Examples:

• Wrong test value associated with patient
  
• Wrong test interpretation
  
• Wrong diagnosis
  
• Wrong treatment

Laboratory professionals might believe they are not associated with postanalytic medical errors, but they can be. One deadly example is fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction involving laboratory error.