Applying Sigma Metrics to Reduce Outliers.
Sigma metrics can be used to predict assay quality, allowing easy comparison of instrument quality and predicting which tests will require minimal quality control (QC) rules to monitor the performance of the method. A Six Sigma QC program can result in fewer controls and fewer QC failures for methods with a sigma metric of 5 or better. The higher the number of methods with a sigma metric of 5 or better, the lower the costs for reagents, supplies, and control material required to monitor the performance of the methods.
Laboratory, Valley Health, 1840 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601, USA. Electronic address: jlitten@valleyhealthlink.com.
Joseph
J
Litten
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017749:Total Quality Management
Instrumentation assessment; Laboratory standardization; QC rules failure rates; Quality control; Sigma metrics; Six sigma