title: Serum iron and proficiency testing: a dilemma.
abstract: We present and discuss observations regarding the results of the serum iron determination as seen in various surveys. The reference method proved to score different in our hands judging on the performance in the Dutch and German quality assessment schemes. Furthermore, it is clear and frustrating that these scores, representing the most accurate results, are becoming more and more labeled "out of acceptable range".
authors.affiliation: Academic Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, Department of Clinical Chemistry, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Blijenberg
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Roetering
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Brouwer
mesh_terms: D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D003124:Colorimetry; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D009426:Netherlands; D011786:Quality Control; D012015:Reference Standards; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D007501:Iron