Current practices for quality assurance in laboratory haematology

Current practices for the quality control of multichannel haematology instruments are outlined. The strengths and weaknesses of preserved whole-blood controls, blood-cell indices and random duplicates methods are reviewed. Despite considerable experience in these several methods no consensus has yet been reached on the best and most efficient methods for quality control of these instruments. Several questions and unfinished tasks remain before this ongoing problem is solved. The major questions are listed and these tasks are catalogued and prioritized.