What does the term "interference" refer to in laboratory testing?

The term "interference" in laboratory testing refers specifically to substances that can affect the accuracy of the test results. These substances can come from a variety of sources, including medications, food, or other compounds that may be present in the sample being tested. When these interfering substances are present, they can alter the expected outcomes, leading to either false positives or false negatives, which can significantly impact patient diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding interference is crucial for laboratory professionals as it helps in interpreting results correctly and ensuring that testing protocols are robust enough to minimize their impact. Properly identifying potential interferences allows for the implementation of corrective actions, such as sample dilution or modifying testing procedures to achieve accurate results.

The other options, while related to laboratory operations and patient safety, do not define interference as accurately. Errors in sample collection pertain to mistakes made during the collection process which can result in compromised samples, while defective laboratory equipment refers to malfunctions that could lead to erroneous results. Inadequate cleaning protocols relate to contamination risks but do not directly pertain to the concept of interference in testing.