title: Bias Assessment of General Chemistry Analytes using Commutable Samples.
abstract: Harmonisation of reference intervals for routine general chemistry analytes has been a goal for many years. Analytical bias may prevent this harmonisation. To determine if analytical bias is present when comparing methods, the use of commutable samples, or samples that have the same properties as the clinical samples routinely analysed, should be used as reference samples to eliminate the possibility of matrix effect. The use of commutable samples has improved the identification of unacceptable analytical performance in the Netherlands and Spain. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) has undertaken a pilot study using commutable samples in an attempt to determine not only country specific reference intervals but to make them comparable between countries. Australia and New Zealand, through the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB), have also undertaken an assessment of analytical bias using commutable samples and determined that of the 27 general chemistry analytes studied, 19 showed sufficiently small between method biases as to not prevent harmonisation of reference intervals. Application of evidence based approaches including the determination of analytical bias using commutable material is necessary when seeking to harmonise reference intervals.
authors: NSW Health Pathology, Chatswood, NSW ; University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT.
authors: Gus
authors: G
authors: Koerbin
authors: Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld.
authors: Jillian R
authors: JR
authors: Tate
authors: Northern Hospital, Healthscope Pathology, Vic.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Ryan
authors: SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW.
authors: Graham Rd
authors: GR
authors: Jones
authors: Melbourne Pathology, Sonic Healthcare, Collingwood, Vic.
authors: Ken A
authors: KA
authors: Sikaris
authors: SNP, Sonic Healthcare, Taringa, Qld.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Kanowski
authors: Aotea Pathology, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Maxine
authors: M
authors: Reed
authors: RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Ltd, Adelaide, SA.
authors: Janice
authors: J
authors: Gill
authors: Roche Diagnostics, Sydney, NSW.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Koumantakis
authors: Westmead Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Yen
authors: ARC Consulting, Mt Lawley, WA.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: St John
authors: ACT Pathology, Canberra, ACT, Australia ; ANU Medical School, Canberra, ACT.
authors: Peter E
authors: PE
authors: Hickman
authors: ACT Pathology, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Simpson
authors: AACB, Alexandria, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Graham