Table 8.2.

Example of Listing Data Handling and Processing Steps: Specimen Collection for Study of Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

Procedure	Potential for Error
Self-collection of rectal specimen using a swab, placed into transport media	•Specimen does not contain fecal matter •Swab placed in wrong vial •Swab/vial not labeled or improperly labeled •Specimen not collected •Transport media improperly prepared or outdated
Transport of specimen to laboratory	•Specimen lost during transport to laboratory •Labeling lost during transport •Specimen heated or cooled during transport •Delays or inconsistent transport time
Culture specimen for GBS	•Error in labeling •Break in sterile technique •Culture too long/short; incorrect medium, temperature, or other conditions
Identification of GBS	•Error in identification •GBS isolate grown on plate, but not selected for further testing (identification) •Incorrect recording of results •Break in sterile technique
Storage of isolates	•Error in labeling •Storage media not properly prepared •Incorrect storage media •Break in sterile technique •Storage at incorrect temperature or change in temperature that impacts isolate integrity •Storage location not recorded or recorded incorrectly