Should I Repeat My 1:2s QC Rejection?.
- Author:
Curtis A PARVIN
1
;
Lakshmi KUCHIPUDI
;
John C YUNDT-PACHECO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- MeSH: Computer Simulation; Imidazoles; Nitro Compounds
- From:Laboratory Medicine Online 2012;2(4):183-187
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Repeating a QC that is outside 2SD from the mean (1:2s rule) appears to be a common practice. Although this form of repeat-sampling is frowned on by many, the comparative power of the approach has not been formally evaluated. METHODS: We computed power functions mathematically and by computer simulation for 4 different 1:2s repeat-sampling strategies, as well as the 1:2s rule, the 1:3s rule, and 2 common QC multirules. RESULTS: The false-rejection rates for the repeat-sampling strategies were similarly low to those of the 1:3s QC rule. The error detection rates for the repeat-sampling strategies approached those of the 1:2s QC rule for moderate to large out-of-control error conditions. In most cases, the power of the repeat-sampling strategies was superior to the power of the QC multirules we evaluated. The increase in QC utilization rate ranged from 4% to 13% for the repeat-sampling strategies investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The repeat-sampling strategies provide an effective tactic to take advantage of the desirable properties of both the 1:2s and 1:3s QC rules. Additionally, the power of the repeat-sampling strategies compares favorably with the power of 2 common QC multirules. These improvements come with a modest increase in the average number of controls tested.
