Measurement uncertainty for practical use
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements
Published on: September 7, 2019
Abdurrahman Coskun1, Elvar Theodorsson2, Wytze P Oosterhuis3
1EFLM Task and Finish Group on Practical Approach to Measurement Uncertainty, Milan, Italy; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Uncertainty is an inseparable part of all kinds of measurements performed in clinical laboratories. Accreditation standards including the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 15189:2012 require that laboratories have routines for calculating the measurement uncertainty of reported results. Various guidelines such as CLSI EP29, Nordest 537, and ISO 20914:2019 have proposed methods for this purpose. However, due to the conceived complexity of the proposed calculation methods, these guidelines have not been generally and effectively applied in clinical laboratories. High workload and measurand heterogeneity favor a pragmatic utilitarian approach. The purpose of this paper is to describe such an approach, including its advantages and disadvantages. Measurement uncertainty should include the most influential factors affecting patients' test results. Since patients' samples for the same measurand can be analyzed in one laboratory or several laboratories using different measuring systems, the measurement uncertainty should be calculated using results obtained from analyzing the same internal quality control material if commutable or patients pooled/split samples.
Related Concept Videos
Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision
Uncertainty in Measurement: Reading Instruments
Uncertainty: Overview
Propagation of Uncertainty from Random Error
Uncertainty in Measurement: Significant Figures
Propagation of Uncertainty from Systematic Error

