Hematology Analyzer Quality Control

Hematology Controls and Quality Control

• Hematology controls help assess the precision of hematology analyzers, ensuring valid patient results and meeting accreditation requirements.
• Daily measurement of quality control samples is obligatory for intra-instrument quality control.
• Controls with assayed values for three-part and five-part differential analysis, as well as erythrocyte sedimentation controls, are available.

Importance of Quality Control in Hematology

• Quality control should be performed routinely to ensure the consistent reliability of sample results.
• Each laboratory should establish their own QC program complying with accreditation guidelines.
• Four main purposes of internal QC:
  • Monitoring of the analytical process
  • Detection of errors due to system failure, adverse environmental conditions, or operator performance
  • Monitoring of long-term test performance
  • Providing a proof of adequate long-term quality level and complying with regulatory requirements

Accuracy and Precision in Hematology Controls

• Accuracy refers to the ability to achieve the right result, while precision refers to the ability to achieve the same result over and over again.
• Four scenarios of accuracy and precision:
  • Accurate and precise values (ideal scenario)
  • Not accurate and precise values (trend, often caused by instrument drift or other factors)
  • Not accurate but precise values (shift, often caused by changes in reagents or environment)
  • Accurate but not precise values (imprecision, often caused by various conditions)

Assessing the precision of hematology analyzers to ensure valid patient results and meet accreditation requirements. This includes daily measurement of quality control samples and using controls with assayed values for differential analysis.