The Laboratory’s Role

What is the laboratory’s role in implementing the know error^® system?

« To simply cut and send of the appropriate tissue samples to us for DSPA testing. »

The know error^® system complements the workflow while protecting the laboratory across all stages of the diagnostic testing cycle. It works by verifying the ascribed patient’s identity and ruling out specimen contamination (i.e. a pure sample) at the molecular level. The know error^® system with DSPA testing requires minimal disruption to the standard laboratory process:

• When a positive for cancer (malignant) diagnosis is rendered, two 4-micron slices should be cut from the appropriate paraffin block(s) and sent to us using the supplied transport vials from the Know Error biopsy kit. In some cases, unstained slides may be sent instead.

Why is DSPA necessary?

The diagnostic testing cycle for cancer involves several medical professionals and nearly 18 complex steps, some of which are beyond your control as a pathologist. Undetected tissue transposition or contamination occurring at any step in the process could result in a cancer diagnosis being assigned to the wrong patient or in the case of contaminations, could result in confounded Biomarker test results leading to incorrect conclusions and therapy. When this happens, the patient with the false-positive diagnosis would receive unnecessary treatment, while the patient with the false-negative diagnosis would not receive the care she needs in a timely manner.

The know error^® system completes the diagnostic testing cycle for cancer by confirming that surgical biopsy samples being evaluated are free from contamination and belong exclusively to the ascribed patient. This allows the pathology lab and the treating physician to confidently move forward with the diagnosis and corresponding treatment options for the correct patient.

Need more information?

If one of your clients has requested the know error^® system and you have questions or require further assistance with implementation, please contact us at 888-924-6779, option 2. You can also consult the resources below for more detailed information on biopsy misidentification errors and the know error^® system.