Do local hospitals meet the analytical goals for the use of common reference intervals?

Abstract

Frølich A, Nielsen B F, Nielsen J, Conradsen K, McNair P. Do local hospitals meet the analytical goals for the use of common reference intervals? Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1994; 54: 169-176.

Blood samples were obtained from 183 blood donors and measured in two hospitals in the same geographical area using identical reference intervals and measuring equipment. The analytical bias of the clinical chemical analyses was investigated through paired measurements. The results showed that out of 15 routine analyses only four meet the goals for acceptance of common reference intervals, of which at least three were of clinical significance. The problems were reflected in the quality assessment results but, nevertheless, no action seems to have been taken.

Key Words:

• bias
• clinical chemical data
• external quality assessment
• imprecision
• inaccuracy
• internal quality assessment
• transferability