While the total testing process is typically divided into
three main phases (pre-, intra- and post-analytical),
exploration of the beginning and end of the loop
reveals that currently, pre- and post-analytical steps
are more error-prone than intra-analytical processes
(26). In particular, in the pre-analytical phase, the existence
of a pre-pre-analytical phase (i.e., procedures
performed neither in the clinical laboratory nor under
the direct control of laboratory personnel) must be
recognized. This phase starts with test request,
patient and specimen identification, blood drawing,