RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Bayer Rapidpoint 400 analyzer for point of care testing (POCT) uses fixed quality control (QC) range even when the lot number of a cartridge for quality control changes. To evaluate the fixed QC range recommended by the manufacturer, we analyzed internal QC data of 9 analyzers with Six Sigma metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated QC data of 9 analyzers over 5 months from May to September, 2004 for 8 parameters (pH, pCO2, pO2, Na+, K+, iCa++, Cl-, and glucose). One hundred eighty six groups of QC data were analyzed with capability index (C(p)=total allowable error (TEa)/3 standard deviation (SD)) and capability index considering bias (C(pk),=(TEa-bias)/3 SD). Acceptability was evaluated with criteria of 1.33 C(pk), 4 sigma level or quality criteria of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA'88). RESULTS: In 80.7% (150 of 186 groups), both C(p) and C(pk) were at or above 1.33, which indicated that the use of fixed QC range was adequate. In 19.3% (36 of 186 groups), C(pk) was below 1.33, which indicated the inadequacy of fixed QC range. Among them 14.5% (27 of 186 groups) showed C(p) below 1.33, indicating that the errors had a random factor and 4.8% (9 of 186 groups) had C(p) at or above 1.33, indicating that the errors had a systematic factor. CONCLUSIONS: The quality criteria mandated by CLIA '88 was satisfied in about 80% of study groups using fixed QC ranges, but in about 20%, more strict instrument maintenance and specimen handling by operators, and quality improvement of QC materials by manufacturer was required.