Mayapada moves to cut early lab mistakes

The aim is consistent test results across hospitals.

Mayapada Healthcare has started a group-wide effort to reduce errors that happen before lab samples are tested, an area where mistakes most often occur.

The programme began with a site check at Mayapada Hospital Bogor in West Java. Indonesia on 20 November 2025 and will be extended across the hospital network. The focus is on how tests are ordered, samples are taken, and specimens are handled before analysis, rather than on new equipment.

“The pre-analytical stage is the most critical phase in laboratory services, as the majority of diagnostic errors occur before samples are analysed,” Dennis Jacobus, head of the Mayapada Laboratory Network, told Healthcare Asia. “Our priority is to ensure patients receive accurate diagnoses from the outset, so treatment decisions can be made faster and with greater precision.”

Hospitals are under pressure to deliver accurate results more quickly as cases become more complex. In laboratory work, most errors occur before samples reach the analyser, making this stage a key factor in diagnostic quality.

Instead of adding technology, Mayapada is standardising basic work steps across hospitals. These include sample labelling, storage, transport, and documentation. The goal is to reduce differences between sites so test results are more consistent.

Dennis said the programme follows established international laboratory practices. “Globally, laboratory quality improvement is increasingly directed toward standardising pre-analytical processes based on international guidelines,” he said in an emailed reply to questions. This approach reduces procedural variation and supports more consistent quality across facilities.

The review at the Bogor hospital provides a baseline. Findings are used to compare practices across locations and decide which issues need to be addressed first.

Mayapada uses a digital review tool to record findings and turn them into comparable data. This helps identify problems that may not be visible through routine checks.

The digital review allows them to identify gaps objectively and recommend improvements based on evidence, Dennis said.

The group tracks progress through practical measures, including fewer sample handling errors, better compliance with procedures, faster turnaround times, and more reliable results.

These indicators are reviewed regularly to confirm the changes improve accuracy and service quality, Dennis said.

The programme also covers staff capability. Mayapada is rolling out structured training, on-site guidance, and regular checks to ensure staff apply the same procedures across all hospitals.

“We aim to ensure all healthcare personnel apply pre-analytical guidelines in line with international standards,” Dennis said, adding that patients should get accurate test results regardless of location.