Orugbo VP*, Ohaju-Obodo J, Ochei O and Ntaji MI
Background: Pathologists require patients’ biodata and clinical presentations for accurate interpretation of the results of samples’ sent to the laboratory for analyses. Unstructured survey does suggest that physicians in the studied hospital do not provide all the information insisted on in a laboratory request forms. Objectives: Hence, this study objectively, investigated the level of completion of request forms presented to the chemical pathology department of Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Research Methodology: The study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Laboratory Request Forms (LRFs) submitted to the Department of Chemical Pathology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria from July 2019 to December 2019 were reviewed systematically and assessed for correctness and completeness. A SPSS master sheet containing all the variables (hospital number, patient name, patient sex, patient age, patient address, patient contact number, ward/clinic, consultant name, consultant contact, laboratory form signed by doctor; type of sample collected, investigation requested, date sample was received by the laboratory; time sample was collected, date and high risk sample) indicated in the LRFs was created to enter the information in the forms. Form were said to be completely filled if all the information indicated in the form were filled by requesting physicians. Results: None of the laboratory forms received during the study period was completely filled. Conclusion: Physicians may likely have no or little clue on the importance of completing laboratory request forms. Therefore, periodic orientation programmes should be conducted in this subject area for the effectiveness in the completion of LRFs.
