Introduction: Knowledge and systematic evaluation of analytical errors is the task of internal analytical quality control management. The aim of this study was to assess whether the Westgard rules proposed by Bio-Rad's Westgard Advisor software are more efficient in the monitoring of analytical performance than those previously in use.
Materials And Methods: The study was carried out on the nephelometer Atellica NEPH630 (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany).
Background: In medical laboratories, it is mandatory to ensure the analytical quality of the measurement procedures by proficiency testing (PT). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the PT results of seven medical laboratories in South Tyrol - as a measure of the analytical performance - were different.
Methods: As a measure for the analytical performance of the individual laboratories, we used the PT results (RIQAS, Randox international quality assessment scheme) of one year for 34 analytes.
Objective: The consideration of the principles of risk management in the analytical process is a current trend. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the risk management index (RMI) for various laboratory parameters can be influenced by interventions that change the internal quality control (IQC) strategy.
Methods: We selected 10 laboratory parameters associated with cardiovascular disease for the study (myoglobin, N-terminal fragment of the pro B-type natriuretic polypeptide, cardiac troponin T, creatinine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).