Related Experiment Videos
Integration of data derived from biological variation into the quality management system
Carmen Ricós1, Virtudes Alvarez, Fernando Cava
1Analytical Quality Commission, Spanish Society of Clinical Biochemistry And Molecular Pathology, Spain. cricos@hg.vhebron.es
Background:
[corrected] Data on within- and between-subject biological variation are available for around 250 analytes commonly used in medical laboratories.
Methods:
Integration of this data into the quality system occurs at all three levels of laboratory activity: (a) Preanalytic process: biological variation provides the basis for selecting the most appropriate specimen for analysis, for defining sample stability and for deciding suitable timing between samplings; (b) analytic process: biological variation-derived goals are fundamental for designing internal quality control procedures, and for evaluating laboratory performance; and (c) postanalytic process: delta checks based on within-subject biological variation values are used for validating results and for interpreting serial results from a patient.
Conclusion:
The biological variation is a pillar for managing quality in laboratory medicine.