A HOW-SHOULD-I GUIDE TO LABORATORY QUALITY CONTROL

Course overview

ASCP eCourse Author: Pennell C. Painter, PhD, DLM(ASCP) - Director of Laboratory Operations, LabCorp/Dynacare, Tennessee Laboratory, Knoxville, TN - Emeritus Professor, University of Tennessee, Medical Center, School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN Course Learning Objectives: - Establish QC limits for laboratory tests based on defensible good laboratory practices - Understand how QC results can be monitored and evaluated to assure good laboratory quality. - Create a good quality control program that is sustainable and yields good value for the resources required. Course Description: A good QC Program is one of the most essential elements of "Good Laboratory Practice" but there is considerable confusion about the specifics of how the program should be accomplished successfully and seamlessly. Setting QC limits too tight, results in the needless time-consuming repetitions of expensive QC tests and setting limits too wide can result in clinically misleading results being reported without QC detecting an assay problem. Participants in this eCourse will gain an understanding of exactly how to determine what QC limits should be used for different tests and why the traditional +/- 2 SD limits may not be appropriate in some cases. Specific areas of confusion will be covered as follows: - How to deal with QC limits for the same assay across multiple instrumental systems and testing locations. - Why and how establishing QC limits in different lab testing areas like hematology, urinalysis and chemistry must differ. - How to effectively and efficiently monitor and take appropriate action based on QC results. Content contained in this ASCP eCourse was originally presented during a September 26, 2006 ASCP continuing education audioconference. The content has been modified to render it suitable for online delivery.