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SINGAPORE: A batch of 233 swab samples for COVID-19 testing was “accidentally discarded” before the samples were tested, in an incident dating back to “compliance failures,” a private laboratory said Monday (12 October).
Quest Laboratories had collected the samples from clinics across Singapore under the Swab-and-Send-Home program, the lab said in a press release.
“The problem came to the attention of the laboratory two days later, when the clinics began communicating with the laboratory to obtain the test results of these patients,” he said.
Quest Laboratories informed the MOH about the disposal of the samples on October 9, the ministry said in a separate statement. He said the clinic had verified that no other samples were affected.
As of Sunday, a total of 102 affected patients had been tested, and all tested negative for COVID-19, Quest Laboratories said. All affected clinics were also notified.
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PERIOD OF COMPLIANCE, PERSONNEL THAT WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Investigations into the incident identified two compliance failures in standard operating procedures involving sample handling and disposal, Quest Laboratories said.
“The first lapse is related to the delivery of samples from the courier to the sample receiving staff. This occurred at the same time that the laboratory staff discarded the old samples,” he said.
The second lapse involved laboratory personnel “discarding the samples in the sample reception area, leading to the erroneous disposal of the unanalyzed lot,” he said.
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The Health Ministry said it took a “serious view” of the incident and was working with the laboratory to inform affected clinics and contact affected patients to return to the clinic for a new swab.
“We are investigating this matter and will work with the laboratory to implement the necessary corrective and preventive measures to ensure that such lapses are not repeated,” the Health Ministry said.
The ministry added that it would take appropriate action against the lab if investigations reveal any breaches of regulations.
“We will also remind the other authorized laboratories of the need to ensure adequate staff training and compliance with their standard operating procedures,” the Ministry of Health said.
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Quest Laboratories said that all relevant personnel had been notified of the issues that led to the incident and the aftermath, and that the specific personnel involved will receive disciplinary action.
The lab said measures had also been implemented to improve sample handling and disposal.
“Containers for sample delivery are now color-coded and significantly different from containers for disposal, eliminating the possibility of confusion between incoming sample batches not tested and batches already tested for disposal,” the lab said. .
He added: “We have added a second verification step that requires all samples for disposal to be verified and signed by two separate people.”
“We deeply regret this failure of our systems,” said Quest Laboratories CEO Ginny Foo, adding that reviews to strengthen the laboratory “chain of custody” and retraining of personnel had already begun.
Ms Foo also said the lab was prioritizing samples from those affected to ensure they received their COVID-19 test status without further delay.
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