title: The incorporation of red blood cell index mean data into quality control programs.
abstract: Patient red blood cell (RBC) index means, when used in quality control, form an independent standard that is as accurate and precise as preserved blood controls. If such patient data are routinely incorporated in intralaboratory and interlaboratory quality control programs, a substantial improvement in the present state-of-the-art is possible. Within the laboratory, each method serves to confirm the adequacy of the other. In interlaboratory control trials the combination makes it possible to specify the cause of most misanalyses. For similar reasons, the combination of both methods enables the manufacturer of quality control material to assess the adequacy of the manufacturing and value assignation process.
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006405:Hematology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control