Better get moving on laboratory quality assurance
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 11 February 2019
Issue publication date: 11 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose
With recent advances in laboratory hematology automation, emphasis is now on quality assurance processes as they are indispensable for generating reliable and accurate test results. It is therefore imperative to acquire efficient measures for recognizing laboratory malfunctions and errors to improve patient safety. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Moving algorithm is a quality control process that monitors analyzer performance from historical records through a continuous process, which does not require additional expenditure, and can serve as an additional support to the laboratory quality control program.
Findings
The authors describe an important quality assurance tool, which can be easily applied in any laboratory setting, especially in cost-constrained areas where running commercial controls throughout every shift may not be a feasible option.
Originality/value
The authors focus on clinical laboratory quality control measures for providing reliable test results. The moving average appears to be a reasonable and applicable choice for vigilantly monitoring each result.
Keywords
Citation
Ali, S.A. and Shaikh, M.S. (2019), "Better get moving on laboratory quality assurance", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 84-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2017-0204
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited