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)