Quality assurance in home laboratory testing

In review, one is compelled to the notion that a variety of the aforementioned thoughts become pre-eminent in assuring quality. The selection of the tests available for home testing is crucial. They should be divided into categories of single encounter tests and multiple use tests. The single encounter implies a test that has an extremely high degree of reliability and is likely to achieve an answer to the question asked. This should relate to a disease or process for which potential favorable treatment can be achieved or which may have a major favorable impact on public health. In this category one thinks in terms of the worldwide prevalence of hepatitis B and other infectious diseases that are particularly common in third world countries. Yet, these are not "markets" likely to be able to afford this testing. Similarly, these societies are not currently sophisticated in terms of application of preventive measures. On the other hand, major benefits could be projected from the other category of testing, namely, therapeutic monitoring in the hands of individuals who will repetitively test for the same substance in the same manner. This includes not only diabetes but other conditions that are monitored for drug therapy, including seizure disorders and bronchospasm. Inherent in this aspect is the requirement for meaningful and ongoing instruction in proper testing methodology and recording of results. The incorporation of some type of memory device to enforce this aspect of testing appears extremely desirable, if not mandatory. Finally, we must consider the potential for misuse of the single test type of device. One suspects that it would be highly desirable that any test made available for self-testing should also be mandated as accessible through certified laboratories at the request of an individual, which would at least provide reliable performance of the test with a quality result. The development of the concept of quality assurance in home testing is in its infancy and will require continuing evolution.