[Significance and availability of small scale quality control programs].
Characteristics of small scale or regional quality control (QC) programs are quick responses to resolving QC problems and cooperation. In this paper, we illustrated and discussed the positive results of the regional QC program in Shizuoka prefecture as a model for small scale QC assurance programs. Kitamura's allowable limitations for analytical error in internal QC were estimated from the physiological and technical variation of individual assays and compared with the coefficient of variation (CV) of each analyte in clinical laboratories. CV of analytes in 80% of the laboratories cleared Kitamura's allowable limitation with the exception of alkaline phosphatase and calcium. Many laboratories are now making extensive efforts toward clearing the allowable limitation in these two items. Many working groups (WG), such as enzymes, immunochemistry, and ion selective electrode WG, are very active in resolving problems found by QC programs. The results obtained in these working groups were effectively communicated to the clinical laboratories and bedside physicians. These responses in small QC program are surely complementary to large scale QC programs such as the QC program of the Japan Medical Association.
Kanno
T
T
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine.
D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011786:Quality Control; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration