title: A simple method for "reference range" estimation from routine laboratory data.
abstract: A simplified method is presented to estimate reference ranges from hospital laboratory data. It is based on a combination of graphical estimation of relative sizes of normal and abnormal populations and the "mode-center" concept in which the mode of the total population centers on the 50% cumulative frequency of the normal population. This method can be applied to determine reference ranges even though the data source contains abnormally high and/or low values. The reference ranges obtained for BUN and calcium from in-patient and out-patient sources by this method were found to be similar to those reported for "healthy" subjects.
mesh_terms: D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008722:Methods; D011153:Population; D011786:Quality Control
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium