Evolution of the Urinary Chemistry, Survey Program of the CAP

Thirteen analytes were presented in the Urine Chemistry Survey Program during the year 1978. These included amylase, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, creatinine, osmolality, total protein, glucose, and urea nitrogen as regular constituents. Optional analytes included 17-ketosteroids, 17-ketogenic steroids, and vanillylmandelic acid. Certain samples elevated sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus concentration to stimulate human disease states and to test consensus results in ranges heretofore not possible. Serious loss of precision performance was not noted although some methods are noticeably affected. Improvement in interlaboratory precision has sllowed as compared with previous years.