Discussions about Extra-Analytical Quality Indicators and Laboratory Performances by IFCC / 现代检验医学杂志

ABSTRACT

In the last few years much progress has been made in raising the awareness of laboratory medicine professionals a bout the effectiveness of quality indicators (QIs) in monitoring,and improving upon,performances in the extra-analytical phases of the total testing process (TTP).An effective system for management of QIs includes the implementation of an internal assessment system and participation in inter-laboratory comparison.A well-designed internal assessment system allows the identification of critical activities and their systematic monitoring.Active participation in inter-laboratory comparison provides information on the performance level of one laboratory with respect to that of other participating laboratories.In order to guarantee the use of appropriate QIs and facilitate their implementation,many laboratories have adopted the Model of Quality Indicators (MQI) proposed by Working Group "Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety" (WG-LEPS) of IFCC,since 2008,which is the result of international consensus and continuous experimentation,and updating to meet new,con stantly emerging needs.Data from participating laboratories are collected monthly and reports describing the statistical results and evaluating laboratory data,utilizing the Six Sigma metric,issued regularly.Although the results demonstrate that the processes need to be improved upon,overall the comparison with data collected in 2014 shows a general stability of quality levels and that an improvement has been achieved over time for some activities.The continuous monitoring of QI dataallows identification all possible improvements,thus highlighting the value of participation in the inter-laboratory program proposed by WGLEPS.The active participation of numerous laboratories will guarantee an ever more significant State-of-the-Art,promote the reduction of errors and improve quality of the TTP,especially the extra-analytical quality,thus guaranteeing patient safety.