Assessment of Sigma Metrics for Routine Chemistry Testing in 4 Laboratories in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Background: Sigma metrics is a quantitative management tool. This study assessed the Six Sigma score for 26 chemistry analytes, compared scores with different total allowable errors (TEa) and use of scores for internal quality control (IQC) rules in 4 Laboratories in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Methods: Utilizing 6 months of IQC SD, CV, and bias data on albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, bicarbonate, calcium, total cholesterol, creatine kinase, chloride, creatinine, gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose, HDL-cholesterol, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase, magnesium, sodium, inorganic phosphate, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, triglycerides, total protein, urea nitrogen, uric acid, and C-reactive protein (CRP) Six Sigma scores were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2016 and ideal IQC rules were determined.

Evaluation of the CKD-EPI creatinine based glomerular filtration rate estimating equation in Black African and Indian adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) plays a vital role in assessment of the renal function. This study evaluated the performance of the CKD-EPI and MDRD equations in the South African Kwa-Zulu Natal population.

Objectives: The objectives if the study were to compare the of CKD-EPI and MDRD equations in the selected population to the measured GFR using Sodium Technetium-99 m-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate clearance derived GFR.