A study published in the Journal of Urology (October 2007) suggested that the medical community may be ready for a "DNA Timeout" utilizing forensic DNA to prevent biopsy switching errors that may result in adverse patient outcomes. The study, conducted by Drs. John Pfeifer, Stephen Raab, and Eric Suba, concluded: "Patient identification errors among prostate needle biopsies may be difficult to entirely prevent through optimization of work flow processes. A DNA time-out, whereby DNA polymorphic microsatellite analysis is used to confirm patient identification before radiation therapy or radical surgery, may eliminate patient identification errors among needle biopsies."
As identified in this study, a process often referred to as DNA "fingerprinting" has been advocated to catch those errors which are undetected by existing quality systems, even those systems which adopt sophisticated error reduction systems. While many facilities have implemented improved processes and protocols, these improvements serve to reduce the number of errors; however, according to the study, DNA matching may provide a way to prevent patient identification errors in the biopsy evaluation process.
The know error® specimen security system, introduced in 2009 by Diagnostic ID, LLC, provides a solution to finding biopsy identity switches, such as those discussed in the study, by incorporating both an error reduction system and DNA fingerprinting technology. The know error® system employs patient-specific bar-coding for the purpose of reducing errors and forensic DNA fingerprinting for the purpose of preventing errors.
The know error® system uncovers patient identification errors by matching tissue from a positive biopsy result to a reference sample taken from the patient via a simple cheek swab to confirm that the tissue belongs to the patient. By performing DNA matching prior to treatment, the know error® specimen security system assures that biopsy switching errors will be detected prior to any adverse patient outcomes.
When adopted by pathology labs and their referring physicians, the know error® system can reduce switching errors and assure that no adverse patient outcomes will occur from otherwise undetected misidentifications.
To learn more about the know error® specimen security system, visit www.knowerror.com.
Eric J. Suba,* John D. Pfeifer and Stephen S. Raab Patient Identification Error Among Prostate Needle Core Biopsy Specimens--Are We Ready for a DNA Time-Out? Journal of Urology Vol. 178, 1245-1248, October 2007
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