...so many preanalytical projects?
1. Our data indicates that about 80% of our complaints are due to failures in the preanalytical phases of testing.
We record about 9% of failures in analytical phases and 9% in post analytical phase (mostly failed comptuer access -- DNEs, downtime, etc.).

About one-fourth of these preanalytical errors are client errors and the other three-fourths are errors in receiving, routing and transportation.

2. A minireview of literature from 2002 indicates that this is probably   the industry norm.
Bonini, P et al. Errors in Laboratory Medicine. Clincal Chemistry; 2002. 48:5; 691-698.

3. A paper published in summer 2003 had similar findings.
Astion ML, et al. Classifying Laboratory Incident Reports to Identify Problems that Jeopardize Patient Safety. Am J Clin Pathol 2003. 120(1):18-26.
If you look at our projects, they deal with reorganizing receiving, changing the skill mix in receiving and providing performance support systems for preanalytical work (for client and laboratory). These impact the entire laboratory are consistent with our prioritization strategies. 

Other projects deal with trying to reduce postanalytical failures (e.g. the downtime project and the DNE initiative).