Lot verification practices in Ontario clinical chemistry laboratories - Results of a patterns-of-practice survey.

Objectives: Verifying new reagent or calibrator lots is crucial for maintaining consistent test performance. The Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) conducted a patterns-of-practice survey and follow-up case study to collect information on lot verification practices in Ontario.

Methods: The survey had 17 multiple-choice questions and was distributed to 183 licensed laboratories.

Method precision and frequent causes of errors observed in point-of-care glucose testing: a proficiency testing program perspective.

Objectives: Method imprecision, error rates, and explanatory causes that were identified in the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare point-of-care (POC) glucose proficiency testing (PT) program were assessed in comparison with results obtained from laboratory glucose PT surveys.

Methods: POC and laboratory glucose PT data were assessed from September 2009 to June 2011. Peer group means and coefficients of variation (CVs) were estimated using the robust algorithm recommended in the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 13528(E).