Why the know error® system is necessary

The Clinical Problem
The biopsy evaluation process requires a number of steps and several medical professionals. Each year, it plays a critical role in determining the diagnoses and treatments of millions of patients. With such a complex process executed at such a large scale, physicians and patients need an effective way to prevent diagnostic mistakes due to Specimen Provenance Errors (SPE). About Specimen Provenance Errors (SPE)
SPE encompasses a wide spectrum of error conditions including specimen transposition, foreign cell contamination, and patient misidentification that occur in clinical or anatomical pathology. Occult SPE can lead to serious diagnostic mistakes and adverse patient outcomes.

The Innovative Solution
Through the use of forensic DNA testing 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 SPE -- and identifies otherwise undetected SPE -- so that diagnostic mistakes are minimized.

Launched in the spring of 2009, the know error® system for prostate biopsies is now used by hundreds of urologists across the country in conjunction with physician-operated labs and national reference pathology labs. The know error® system for breast biopsies is set for a summer 2010 launch.

Click here to learn more about how the know error® system works.

Click here to read about Dr. Peter M. Knapp Jr.'s use of the know error® system for prostate biopsies in his practice.