Recently in prostate cancer Category

Know Error is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Summit: "Bringing Together Leaders in Cancer Survivorship." This annual symposium will be held November 15, 2011 at the New Haven Lawn Club in New Haven, CT. The event is featuring speakers from world renowned cancer centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Kenneth Miller, MD, Director of the Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, will wrap up the program with a presentation titled: "Buy-in and Pushback: How survivorship fits into the system." Click here to learn more about this meeting.

The mission of the Connecticut Challenge is "to empower cancer survivors to live healthier, happier and longer lives."  According to its website, the Connecticut Challenge raised more than $1.4 million in 2010 with 86 cents of every dollar going towards program services and grants.

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Available for a diverse range of tissue types, including prostate and breast, the know error® system brings new levels of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care. To learn more about the know error® system, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is exhibiting at a meeting of the Chicago Urological Society that will focus on prostate cancer. The meeting is being held November 9th, 2011 at the University Club of Chicago. Among other medical experts and urologists speaking at the event, the keynote speaker will be Alan Partin, MD, PhD, Urologist-in-Chief, Department of Urology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Click here for more information on this meeting.

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system for prostate biopsies which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Available for a diverse range of tissue types, including prostate, the know error® system brings new levels of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care. To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

Know Error is hosting a User's Group Luncheon Meeting prior to the Large Urology Group Practice Association's 2011 Annual Meeting. The luncheon is being held on November 3rd, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Invitations have been extended to urologists attending LUGPA 2011.

A keynote presentation will be provided on the significance of DNA testing in the biopsy evaluation process, as well as an update and discussion on the know error® system's performance within large urology group practice settings.

"We Are Ready for a DNA Timeout"
John Pfeifer, MD, PhD, Vice Chairman for Clinical Affairs, Pathology and Immunology,
Washington University School of Medicine

"Know Error Best Practices"
Ann Anderson, MD, Director of Pathology, Integrated Medical Professionals

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care.

To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies will be showcased at the Annual Meeting of the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA). The meeting is being held November 3-5, 2011 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Click here to learn more about this meeting.

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Available for a diverse range of tissue types, including prostate, the know error® system brings new levels of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care. To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is set to exhibit at the upcoming joint meeting of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Sections of the AUA. The meeting runs from November 3-6, 2011 at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel in Orlando, FL. Click here for more information on this meeting.

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Available for a diverse range of tissue types, including prostate, the know error® system brings new levels of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care. To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is set to exhibit at the North Central Section of the AUA's annual meeting which runs from October 18-22, 2011. This meeting will take place at The Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, CA. To find out more about this meeting, click here.

Know Error develops and markets the know error® system which utilizes bar coding, forensic principles and DNA matching to confirm that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Available for a diverse range of tissue types, including prostate, the know error® system brings new levels of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

Since the company's launch in 2009, hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care. To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is exhibiting at the Connecticut Society of Urology's Annual Scientific Education Program. The event takes place on October 6, 2011 from 8:00am - 5:00pm at The Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. Click here for more information on this meeting.

Launched in 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies brings a new standard of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. By establishing specimen provenance as part of the biopsy evaluation process, the know error® system arms physicians with critical information to recommend the appropriate path for patient treatment. Hundreds of physicians in a variety of specialties, including urology, have incorporated the know error® system as a standard for their patient care.

To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

Starting tomorrow, the know error® system for prostate biopsies will be exhibiting at the Florida Urological Society's Annual Meeting. The meeting runs from September 1-4, 2011 and is being held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Florida. Come visit us at Booth #353.

Launched in 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies brings a new standard of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. Through our innovative use of forensic chain of custody principles and DNA testing, the know error® system confirms that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. As a result, the system has identified DNA non-matches in more than 1% of the patient cases for whom testing has been performed.

To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is set to exhibit at three upcoming meetings of the American Urological Association (AUA).

The first is the 90th Annual Meeting of the South Central Section of the AUA being held September 14-16, 2011 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country. Click here to learn more about this meeting. Look for us at Booth #313.

The North Central Section of the AUA's Annual Meeting comes next and runs from October 18-22, 2011. This meeting will take place at The Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, CA. To find out more about this meeting, click here.

Wrapping up the AUA meetings for 2011 is the joint meeting of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Sections of the AUA. The joint meeting is set for November 3-6, 2011 at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel in Orlando, FL. Click here for more information on this meeting.

Launched in the spring of 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies brings a new standard of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. Through our innovative use of forensic chain of custody principles and DNA testing, the know error® system confirms that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed.

To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies will be showcased at the Annual Meeting of the Western Section of the American Urological Association (AUA). The meeting is being held August 21-25, 2011 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, BC. Look for us at Booth #57.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies brings a new standard of patient safety and diagnostic accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. Through our innovative use of forensic chain of custody principles and DNA testing, the know error® system confirms that the biopsy samples being evaluated belong to the patient being diagnosed. Since its launch in 2009, the system has identified DNA non-matches in more than 1% of the patient cases for whom testing has been performed.

To learn more about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies will be exhibiting this week at the Annual Meeting of the AUA. The meeting kicks off this Saturday, May 14 and lasts through Thursday May 19. The meeting is being held at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Look for us at booth #3150. For more information on this meeting, click here.

The know error® system, introduced in the spring of 2009, provides an effective way to establish specimen provenance. Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

For more information on the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website www.knowerror.com. 

A Boston Globe article, "Mistakes That Matter," discussed the case of two men who were adversely affected by mix ups in the biopsy evaluation process. This post covers the case of the second man in the article (read previous post) who experienced an 8 month delay in his cancer treatment due to a lab mix up. The delay resulted in his cancer spreading to a lymph node and could mean radiation treatment (that would not have been necessary) in addition to the removal of his prostate.

In the article, the patient commented, "Labs are a pretty important part of the whole medical thing, and to have them screw up a fairly simple thing like that makes me wary." From a patient's perspective, it may seem like this would be a simple process, but medical experts have shown that evaluating biopsies is far from simple (read more).

In the first case from the article, the mix-up occurred when the slides were being reviewed by the pathologist (after leaving the pathology lab). In the second case, the mix up occurred at the lab when the lab technician placed the patient's tissue samples on blank slides labeled for another patient. By the time the pathologist reviewed the slides, the mix up had already occurred. Further, the mix up happened even though there were numbering and color coding quality control processes in place. This reemphasizes the complexity of the biopsy evaluation process and the need for a system that goes beyond procedural improvements.

Launched in the spring of 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. The system incorporates bar code technology as well as DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA). By performing DNA testing of biopsy tissue samples PRIOR to any treatment taking place, the know error® system virtually eliminates any adverse patient outcomes due to Specimen Provenance Complications (see previous post for more on SPCs). Through these combined features, the system allows both patient and physician to proceed confidently with treatment options based on the patient's lab results.

For more information about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, please visit our website www.knowerror.com

A Boston Globe article, "Mistakes That Matter," reported on two lawsuits filed as a result of medical mistakes that led to one unnecessary prostate surgery and another delay in prostate cancer treatment. While the cases in this article are similar, they are not related and consequently, will be discussed in separate posts.

The first case involved a man who was mistakenly told he had prostate cancer after the pathologist who reviewed his slides attributed his results to those of another patient who did have cancer. This led to the unnecessary removal of his prostate, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.

The hospital responsible for the mix-up has stated, "...it will take several simple steps, including requiring pathologists to initial biopsy reports to show they took a "time out'' to make sure the reports match the slides." While many of the cases documented in this blog discuss the mix-up of biopsy tissue samples or tissue contamination, this case is different in that the tissue samples were evaluated correctly. The complication didn't occur until the very end of the biopsy evaluation process when the pathologist applied one patient's results to another patient.

This misapplication by the pathologist is just one type of Specimen Provenance Complication (SPC) that can occur as a result of the complex biopsy evaluation process. SPCs may arise due to instances of specimen transposition, foreign cell contamination, and patient misidentification (as in this case) that occur in clinical or anatomical pathology.

In the article, Dr. Gordon Schiff, associate professor at Harvard Medical School states, "One way to prevent mix-ups with biopsy tissue, for example, is to use bar codes to match specimens and slides." While methods such as bar coding and mandatory "time outs" may be effective at reducing SPCs, they may not be enough to prevent adverse patient outcomes such as those discussed here.

Launched in the spring of 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. The system incorporates bar code technology as well as DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA). By performing DNA testing of biopsy tissue samples PRIOR to any treatment taking place, the know error® system virtually eliminates any adverse patient outcomes due to SPC.

For more information about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, please visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is being showcased at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (AUA). The meeting is being held March 17-20, 2011 at the Marriott New Orleans. For more information on this meeting, click here.

The know error® system, introduced in the spring of 2009 by Diagnostic ID, LLC, provides an effective way to establish specimen provenance. Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process.

This innovative system dramatically reduces the incidence of Specimen Provenance Complications (SPC) which may arise due to instances of specimen transposition, foreign cell contamination, and patient misidentification that occur in clinical or anatomical pathology. By performing DNA testing of biopsy tissue samples PRIOR to any treatment taking place, the know error® system virtually eliminates any adverse patient outcomes due to SPC.

For more information about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, please visit our website www.knowerror.com.

After receiving the life changing diagnosis of cancer, some physicians may encourage a patient to seek a second opinion.  Friends and family would most certainly insist on this; perhaps even go to the lengths of seeking out an expert in the field or a world-class hospital that specializes in a particular type of cancer.

In most cases, the purpose of the second "opinion" is to verify the cancer diagnosis and more importantly, to validate the treatment plan suggested by the first physician.  For instance, if a patient seeks the second opinion of a physician taking part in a clinical study, the approach to treatment may be drastically different.  After gaining both opinions, it is then up to the patient to compare both opinions and determine which approach is right for him.

However, what if the problem to be found had nothing to do with the diagnosis but rather the fact that the diagnosis was based on the wrong patient's biopsy results?  In other words, a cancer free patient's results were switched with the results of a patient who had cancer (click here to read about such a switching error).  In this case, a second opinion (or third or fourth) would do nothing to protect the patient.  Unless a second biopsy was ordered by the physician offering the second opinion, this switching error would very likely remain undetected. At that point, a cancer free patient may have undergone an unneccessary surgery such as a double masectomy or prostatecomy.

The know error® system, introduced in 2009 by Diagnostic ID, LLC, employs a DNA matching technology that provides DNA confirmation of a positive biopsy result.  With the know error® system in place, patients and physicians alike are ensured that the first opinion and any given thereafter are based on the right biopsy results. 

For more information about the know error® system, please visit our website www.knowerror.com. 

The know error® system for prostate biopsies is being showcased this week at the Annual Meeting of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association (AUA). The meeting is being held October 14-17, 2009, at the Camelback Inn, JW Marriott Resort, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Look for us at Booth #151 in the exhibit hall. 

Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. This innovative system dramatically reduces the incidence of Specimen Provenance Complications (SPC) enhancing patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.

The know error® system uncovers SPCs 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® system virtually eliminates diagnostic mistakes due SPC.

For more information about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, please visit our website www.knowerror.com.

The know error® specimen security system will be showcased at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association (AUA), October 1-4, 2009, at the Williamsburg Lodge, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Look for us at Table 27 (T27) in the exhibit hall. 

The know error® specimen security system, introduced in 2009 by Diagnostic ID, LLC,  provides a solution to finding biopsy identity switches 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.

For more information about the know error® specimen security system with unique patient code and DNA confirmation, please visit our web site at www.knowerror.com.

The know error® system for prostate biopsies will be showcased at several upcoming Section Meetings of the American Urological Association (AUA). The first stop is the Annual Meeting of the New England Section of the AUA, September 24-27, 2009, at the Rennaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. Look for us at Booth #23 in the exhibit hall. 

Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. This innovative system virtually eliminates the possibililty of adverse patient outcomes due to Specimen Provenance Complications (SPC). By performing DSPA prior to treatment, the know error® system assures that SPCs will be detected prior to any unnecessary surgeries or treatment plans.

For more information about the know error® system for prostate biopsies, visit our website at www.knowerror.com.

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 misidentification in the biopsy evaluation process.

Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. This innovative system virtually eliminates the possibililty of adverse patient outcomes due to Specimen Provenance Complications (SPC). By performing DSPA prior to treatment, the know error® system assures that SPCs will be detected prior to any unnecessary surgeries or treatment plans.

When adopted by pathology labs and their referring physicians, the know error® system dramatically reduces the incidence of SPCs enhancing patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. For more information about the know error® system, visit our website at 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

Highly revered medical facilities, such as the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic, have acknowledged in independent studies that too many errors occur in medical testing.  Even with quality assurance systems in place, something as simple as mislabeling, sample contamination or a misplaced slide can lead to switched results among a group of patients.  There are relatively new, high-tech error reduction systems available today such as Inking and RFID (read more about these below) that have proven to reduce the incidence of switching errors.  But even with these enhanced systems in place, errors do still occur, some of which may have devastating consequences.

It should be noted that not all switching errors result in adverse effects.  Take, for example, a case in which a negative biopsy result is switched with another negative biopsy.  While a switching error technically has occurred, the mistake would likely never be discovered and neither patient would experience an adverse effect as a result of the switch.  The same would be true if a positive biopsy result is switched with another positive biopsy result, although it is possible the treatment plans would differ based on applying the wrong positive results to each patient.  In this case, there could be an adverse effect on one or both patients.  But the errors are most costly when a switch occurs between a positive biopsy result and a negative one or vice versa.  These types of switching errors can be catastrophic, resulting in unnecessary and grueling treatment for a cancer-free patient and delayed or no treatment for a patient with cancer.  These adverse medical outcomes have both medical and legal consequences for every person and / or entity involved in the biopsy process.

With the introduction of the know error® specimen security system, the medical community can now benefit from a system that incorporates forensic DNA science to reduce switching errors and resulting adverse patient outcomes.  Utilizing DNA "fingerprinting," the know error® system is able to catch errors that would be otherwise undetected by existing quality assurance systems, including those which employ sophisticated technology (e.g., Inking, RFID).  The know error® system method identifies biopsy identity switches before a patient suffers an adverse outcome (i.e., under treatment/overtreatment) and ensures the biopsy tissue specimen belongs to the patient by developing a DNA profile from a sample taken from the patient via a simple cheek swab.  This sample is then matched to the DNA profile from the patient's biopsy sample to confirm a match.

The know error® specimen security system assures the patient and treating physician that the biopsy is that of the patient before treatment begins.  It also allows the doctor to proceed with confidence regarding the treatment recommendation.  By implementing the know error® system, doctors and patients benefit from improved accuracy and reduced risk.

For more information about the know error® specimen security system with unique patient code and DNA identity confirmation (patent pending), please visit www.knowerror.com.

Numerous studies, including one published by the College of American Pathologists in 2006, have revealed that "misidentification errors are common in laboratory medicine"[1].  While most medical mix-ups are caught by quality assurance processes already in place, those that are not can have devastating consequences.  "Everyone makes mistakes" is something often heard in everyday conversation, but when it comes to an error as significant as the switching of a biopsy result, a simple mistake can lead to adverse patient outcomes.  These adverse medical outcomes have both medical and legal consequences for every person and / or entity involved in the biopsy process.

The know error® specimen security system virtually eliminates the possibility that an identification switching error will result in an adverse patient outcome.  Utilizing existing forensic DNA science, it was designed to increase patient safety and the quality of patient care. It represents an important innovation in the process of evaluating biopsies.  There are 3 basic steps to the know error® system - 1) Swab, 2) Sample and 3) DNA Match.  These steps are outlined below in greater detail. 

To make the process more relatable, we'll be using a hypothetical patient - let's say "Mr. Smith"--  who will be going in for a prostate biopsy.

First, it should be explained that Mr. Smith's doctor incorporates the know error® system -- a comprehensive biopsy kit that includes all of the necessary materials to be used in obtaining a sample of Mr. Smith's DNA as well as all of the materials that will be used by the doctor performing the biopsy to collect Mr. Smith's tissue samples.

Now let's take a look at the know error® system in action:

1) Swab:  Before Mr. Smith goes in for his biopsy, a DNA sample is taken by swabbing the inside of his cheek.  Mr. Smith will sign the envelope containing his DNA sample and a uniquely bar-coded patient ID label.  The swab is then sent to an independent forensics lab along with Mr. Smith's unique bar-coded patient ID.

2) Sample: Mr. Smith's same unique patient ID is attached to his file along with all of the other materials in the biopsy kit that will be used by the physician collecting his prostate tissue samples.  Once Mr. Smith's biopsy has taken place, the tissue samples collected will be placed in containers with his bar-coded patient ID and sent to the pathology lab.  Once Mr. Smith's samples arrive at the lab, the bar-coded label will be checked before any testing begins.

3) DNA Match:  If Mr. Smith's biopsy results reveal that he does have cancer, this will trigger the third step of the know error® system process, and small "scrolls" of his tissue samples will be sent to the same forensics lab where his reference DNA sample (the swab) was already sent.  The lab will analyze the biopsy tissue and compare it to Mr. Smith's DNA sample confirming a DNA match.  The DNA match of Mr. Smith's cheek swab and his biopsy tissue samples will give him complete confidence in knowing that he does have cancer and that his doctor's treatment recommendation is based on his biopsy results. 

In cases where a DNA match is not confirmed, the forensics lab will know the biopsy tissue samples have been switched with those of another patient. At that point, the lab will notify the appropriate parties to rectify the situation. 

Only by implementing an innovative specimen security system such as the know error® system can the medical community be assured that specimen misidentifications are detected before a patient suffers an adverse outcome. For each switch identified by the know error® system, all parties involved -- patients, physicians, and pathology labs -- are protected from potentially devastating consequences.   

To learn more about the know error® specimen security system, visit www.knowerror.com

[1] Valenstein PN, Raab SS, Walsh MK. Identification errors involving clinical laboratories: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of patient and specimen identification errors at 120 institutions. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2006