Implementation of new Westgard rules suggested by the Westgard Advisor software for five immunological parameters

Lisa Cristelli, Francesca Occhipinti, Daniel Tumiatti, De Luisi Antonia, Erika Jani, Massimo Daves

Original articles, Volume 35, Articles ahead of print

KEYWORDS: laboratory organization and management; quality control; validation; evaluation; Westgard rules

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2025.010701

The influence of calibration on bias in quality control and patient results for TSH on Vitros XT 7600 analyzer

Jill Boreyko, Josko Ivica

Original articles, Volume 34, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: TSH; bias; quality management

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.030703

Comparative study on the quality control effectiveness of AI-PBRTQC and traditional PBRTQC model in identifying quality risks

Xucai Dong, Xi Meng, Bin Li, Dongmei Wen, Xianfei Zeng

Original articles, Volume 34, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: patient-based real-time quality control; exponentially weighted moving average; quality risk

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.020707

Quality assurance of add-on testing in plasma samples: stability limit for 29 biochemical analytes

Francisco J. Illana, Álvaro García-Osuna, María Sospedra, Rosa Ferrer, Cecília Martínez-Brú, Leonor Guiñón

Original articles, Volume 34, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: automation; laboratory organization and management; sample stability; add-on testing; quality assurance

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.020704

A survey on the practice of phlebotomy in Lithuania and adherence to the EFLM-COLABIOCLI recommendations: continuous training and clear standard operating procedures as tools for better quality

Ricardas Stonys, Dalius Vitkus

Original articles, Volume 34, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: preanalytical phase; phlebotomy; blood specimen collection; healthcare quality assurance

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.020702

Practical application of the patient data-based quality control method: the potassium example

Yan Zhang, Hua-Li Wang, Ye-Hong Xie, Da-Hai He, Chao-Qiong Zhou, Li-Rui Kong

Short communications, Volume 34, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: daily average value; patient-generated data; potassium; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.010901

Point of care testing in Croatia: a survey of the Working group for point of care testing of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine

Ivana Baršić Lapić, Lara Milevoj Kopčinović, Nedjeljka Ruljančić, Marija Grdić Rajković, Maja Kuštro

Original articles, Volume 34, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: point of care; questionnaires; quality control; standardization

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2024.010703

Reply to letters to the editor entitled “Bias, the unfinished symphony” and “Bias estimation for Sigma metric calculation: arithmetic mean versus quadratic mean”

Murat Keleş

Letter to the Editor/Reply, Volume 33, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: biochemistry; biological variation; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2023.020401

Inter-rater reliability assessment for the new-born screening quality assurance

Leonor Guiñón, Anna Soler, Rosa María López, Sonia Pajares, José Manuel González de Aledo, Ana Argudo-Ramírez, José Luis Marín, Judit García-Villoria, Ángeles Sahuquillo, Luisa Alvarez

Short communication, Volume 32, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: accreditation; extra-analytical phase; new-born screening; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.030901

A practical approach example to measurement uncertainty: Evaluation of 26 immunoassay parameters

Rabia Tan, Mustafa Yilmaz, Yusuf Kurtulmuş

Original articles, Volume 32, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: immunoassay; quality control; uncertainty

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.030705

Evaluation of preanalytical and postanalytical phases in clinical biochemistry laboratory according to IFCC laboratory errors and patient safety specifications

Nergiz Zorbozan, Orçun Zorbozan

Original articles, Volume 32, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: total quality management; preanalytical phase; quality indicators; six sigma

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.030701

Integrating moving average control procedures into the risk-based quality control plan in small-volume medical laboratories

Vera Lukić, Svetlana Ignjatović

Original articles, Volume 32, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: risk-based quality control plan; QC frequency; run size; patient-risk sigma metrics; patient-based real-time quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.020711

Moving average procedures as an additional tool for real-time analytical quality control: challenges and opportunities of implementation in small-volume medical laboratories

Vera Lukić, Svetlana Ignjatović

Original articles, Volume 32, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality control; moving average; patient-based real-time quality control; laboratory information system

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.010705

Evaluation of the clinical chemistry tests analytical performance with Sigma Metric by using different quality specifications - Comparison of analyser actual performance with manufacturer data

Murat Keleş

Original articles, Volume 32, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: Six Sigma; total allowable error; quality control; biological variation

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.010703

Review of current incidents and risk calculations used in the Royal College of Australasian Pathologists Key Incident Management and Monitoring Systems - a system that could be used by all Australasian medical laboratories, and easily adapted to worldwide use

Stephanie Gay, Belinda Pope, Tony Badrick, Michael Whiley

Original articles, Volume 32, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: extra-analytical phase; laboratory organisation and management; pre- and post-analytical incidents; risk matrix; quality assurance

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.010702

The importance of regulation (EU) 2017/746 for quality control in medical laboratories

Cristiano Ialongo, Maria Sapio, Leda Elisabetta Antetomaso, Antonio Angeloni

Editorial, Volume 32, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality control; traceability; uncertainty

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2022.010301

Estimation of inter-laboratory reference change values from external quality assessment data

Michael Paal, Katharina Habler, Michael Vogeser

Short Communications, Volume 31, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: reference change values; inter-laboratory; external quality assessment; measurement uncertainty; biological variation

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.030902

The concurrence of the current postanalytical phase management with the national recommendations: a survey of the Working Group for Postanalytics of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine

Anja Jokic, Vladimira Rimac, Jelena Vlasic Tanaskovic, Sonja Podolar, Lorena Honovic, Jasna Lenicek Krleza

Original articles, Volume 31, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: postanalytical phase; survey; clinical laboratory; critical results; quality indicators

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.030704

The response of total testing process in clinical laboratory medicine to COVID-19 pandemic

Funda Eren, Merve Ergin Tuncay, Esra Firat Oguz, Salim Neselioglu, Ozcan Erel

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: COVID-19; quality indicator; pandemic; total testing process

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020713

Laboratory professionals’ attitudes towards ISO 15189:2012 accreditation: an anonymous survey of three Croatian accredited medical laboratories

Ivana Lapić, Dunja Rogić, Matea Ivić, Marina Tomičević, Mirjana Mariana Kardum Paro, Lovorka Đerek, Ines Alpeza Viman

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: accreditation; quality assurance; ISO 15189:2012; survey; satisfaction

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020712

Survey on reporting of epithelial cells in urine sediment as part of external quality assessment programs in Brazilian laboratories

José A. T. Poloni, Adriana de Oliveira Vieira, Caroline R. M. dos Santos, Ana-Maria Simundic, Liane N. Rotta

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: urinalysis; External Quality Assessment Program; epithelial cells; survey

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020711

The rise in preanalytical errors during COVID-19 pandemic

Tapasyapreeti Mukhopadhyay, Arulselvi Subramanian, Shivam Pandey, Nirupam Madaan, Anjan Trikha, Rajesh Malhotra

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: laboratory biosafety; preanalytical phase; quality indicators; SARS-CoV-2; total testing process

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020710

Reporting of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Could we achieve better comparability of the results?

Ana Bronić, Sandra Margetić, Desiree Coen Herak, Marija Milić, Branka Krešić, Vanja Radišić Biljak, Jasna Leniček Krleža

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: activated partial thromboplastin time; external quality assessment; harmonization

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020708

Impact of combining data from multiple instruments on performance of patient-based real-time quality control

Qianqian Zhou, Tze Ping Loh, Tony Badrick, Chun Yee Lim

Original Articles, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality control; laboratory management; moving median; moving average; average of normal

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020705

Recommendations for the application and follow-up of quality controls in medical laboratories

Jean-Marc Giannoli, Stéphanie Albarede, Thierry Avellan, Jean-Pierre Bouilloux, Régine Cartier, Richard Cohen, Nathalie Colard, Luc Essemilaire, Jean-Louis Galinier, Mathieu Kuentz, Mickaël Paris, Henri Portugal, Florian Scherrer, Jean-Pascal Siest, Anne Vassault, Jean-Michel Vialle

Translation, Volume 31, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: risk analysis; internal quality control; external quality assessment; uncertainty

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020501

Estimation of the measurement uncertainty and practical suggestion for the description of the metrological traceability in clinical laboratories

Raúl Rigo-Bonnin, Noelia Díaz-Troyano, Laura García-Tejada, Albert Marcè-Galindo, Míriam Valbuena-Asensio, Francesca Canalias

Review, Volume 31, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: biostatistics; quality control; standardization; traceability; uncertainty

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.010501

Patient-based quality control for glucometers: using the moving sum of positive patient results and moving average

Chun Yee Lim, Tony Badrick, Tze Ping Loh

Original Articles, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: laboratory management; quality control; moving average; moving sum of positive patient results; patient-based quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020709

Quality improvement project: Reducing non-conformities of the samples for haemostasis testing in a secondary healthcare centre through the nurses’ education in phlebotomy

Patricija Banković Radovanović

Original Articles, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality improvement; phlebotomy; education; pre-analytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020708

The results of external quality assessment programme on urine leukocyte and erythrocyte counting in Poland

Agnieszka Ćwiklińska, Robert Kowalski, Barbara Kortas-Stempak, Agnieszka Kuchta, Aleksandra Fijałkowska, Gabriela Bednarczuk, Maciej Jankowski

Original Articles, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: erythrocytes; leukocytes; quality control; standardisation; urine

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020707

Analytical performance assessment and improvement by means of the Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA)

Leonor Guiñón, Anna Soler, Mónica Gisell Díaz, Rosa María Fernández, Nayra Rico, Josep Lluís Bedini, Aurea Mira, Luisa Alvarez

Original papers, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: risk management; FMEA; sigma metric; analytical performance; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020703

Errors within the total laboratory testing process, from test selection to medical decision-making – A review of causes, consequences, surveillance and solutions

Cornelia Mrazek, Giuseppe Lippi, Martin H Keppel, Thomas K Felder, Hannes Oberkofler, Elisabeth Haschke-Becher, Janne Cadamuro

Review, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: total testing process; extra-analytical phase; quality indicators; laboratory medicine; patient safety

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020502

The top-down approach to measurement uncertainty: which formula should we use in laboratory medicine?

Flávia Martinello, Nada Snoj, Milan Skitek, Aleš Jerin

Lessons in biostatistics, Volume 30, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: measurement uncertainty; bias; uncertainty; total error; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2020.020101

Optimizing moving average control procedures for small-volume laboratories: can it be done?

Vera Lukić, Svetlana Ignjatović

Original Articles, Volume 29, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: quality control; moving average; bias detection simulation; MA Generator software

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2019.030710

Determining biological variation of serum parathyroid hormone in healthy adults

Müjgan Ercan, Emiş Deniz Akbulut, Esin Avcı, Çiğdem Yücel, Esra Fırat Oğuz, Turan Turhan, Muhittin Serdar

Original Articles, Volume 29, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: biological variation; individuality; reference change value; PTH; quality specification

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2019.030702

Confidence interval of percentiles in skewed distribution: The importance of the actual coverage probability in practical quality applications for laboratory medicine

Cristiano Ialongo

Lessons in Biostatistics, Volume 29, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: biostatistics; confidence intervals; statistical data analysis; health care quality indicators

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2019.030101

Plasma free DNA: Evaluation of temperature-associated storage effects observed for Roche Cell-Free DNA collection tubes

Dietmar Enko, Gabriele Halwachs-Baumann, Gernot Kriegshäuser

Short Communications, Volume 29, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: cell-free nucleic acids; pre-analytical phase; quality improvement

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2019.010904

Standardization in laboratory medicine: Two years’ experience from category 1 EQA programs in Spain

Carmen Ricós, Carmen Perich, Beatriz Boned, Elisabet González-Lao, Jorge Diaz-Garzón, Montserrat Ventura, Sandra Bullich, Zoraida Corte, Joana Minchinela, Fernando Marques, Margarita Simón, Virtudes Alvarez, José-Vicente García-Lario, Pilar Fernández-Fern

Original Articles, Volume 29, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: standardization; external quality assessment; traceability; bias

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2019.010701

Haematology specimen acceptability: a national survey in Chinese laboratories

Yuanyuan Ye, Wei Wang, Haijian Zhao, Falin He, Kun Zhong, Shuai Yuan, Yuxuan Du, Bingquan Chen, Zhiguo Wang

Original Papers, Volume 28, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: quality indicator; preanalytical phase; quality control; haematology; survey

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.030704

Evaluating analytical quality in clinical biochemistry laboratory using Six Sigma

Xuehui Mao, Jing Shao, Bingchang Zhang, Yong Wang

Short Communications: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: Sigma metrics; total allowable error; quality control; bias

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020904

Using Sigma metrics to establish analytical product performance requirements and optimize analytical performance of an diagnostic assay using a theoretical total PSA assay as an example

Victoria Petrides, Sharon Schneider

Short Communications: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: total quality management; decision making; goals

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020903

Utilization of a healthcare failure mode and effects analysis to identify error sources in the preanalytical phase in two tertiary hospital laboratories

Adolfo Romero, Juan Gómez-Salgado, Adolfo Romero-Arana, Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

Original Papers, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: preanalytical phase; Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis; quality assessment; errors

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020713

Comprehensive evaluation of the internal and external quality control to redefine analytical quality goals

Beatriz Varela, Gonzalo Pacheco

Original Papers: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: total quality management; quality control; bias; laboratory proficiency testing/methods; clinical chemistry test

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020710

Application of Sigma metrics in assessing the clinical performance of verified versus non-verified reagents for routine biochemical analytes

Shuang Cao, Xiaosong Qin

Original Papers: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality assessment; Sigma metrics; method decision chart; total allowable error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020709

Sigma metrics for assessing the analytical quality of clinical chemistry assays: a comparison of two approaches

Xiuzhi Guo, Tianjiao Zhang, Xuehui Gao, Pengchang Li, Tingting You, Qiong Wu, Jie Wu, Fang Zhao, Liangyu Xia, Ermu Xu, Ling Qiu, Xinqi Cheng

Original Papers: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: Six Sigma; proficiency testing; internal quality control; allowable total error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020708

National survey on internal quality control for tumour markers in clinical laboratories in China

Wei Wang, Kun Zhong, Shuai Yuan, Falin He, Yuxuan Du, Zhehui Hu, Zhiguo Wang

Original Papers, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: internal quality control; tumour marker; imprecision; biological variation

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020702

Analytical Sigma metrics: A review of Six Sigma implementation tools for medical laboratories

Sten Westgard, Hassan Bayat, James O Westgard

Review: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: Six Sigma metrics; quality control frequency; OPSpecs chart; method decision chart; Westgard rules

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020502

Special issue on Six Sigma metrics - experiences and recommendations

Sten Westgard, Hassan Bayat, James O Westgard

Editorial: Special issue on Six Sigma metrics, Volume 28, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: Six Sigma; Sigma metrics; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020301

Missed detection of significant positive and negative shifts in gentamicin assay: implications for routine laboratory quality practices

Gus Koerbin, Jiakai Liu, Alex Eigenstetter, Chin Hon Tan, Tony Badrick, Tze Ping Loh

Original Papers, Volume 28, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: error; moving average; bias; quality control; quality assurance

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.010705

External quality assessment in resource–limited countries

Jane Y Carter

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: laboratory; quality assurance; proficiency testing; resource-limited countries

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.013

Implementation of the External Quality Assessment Program in Brazil

Marcos Kneip Fleury, Maria Elizabeth Menezes, José Abol Correa

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality assurance; external assessment; proficiency testing

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.012

External Quality Assessment in Croatia: problems, challenges, and specific circumstances

Jasna Lenicek Krleza, Ivana Celap, Jelena Vlasic Tanaskovic

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: external quality assessment; commutability; allowable limit of performance; standardization; harmonization

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.011

Essential aspects of external quality assurance for point-of-care testing

Anne Stavelin, Sverre Sandberg

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality assurance; health care; laboratory proficiency testing; point-of-care testing; health personnel

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.010

External Quality Assessment beyond the analytical phase: an Australian perspective

Tony Badrick, Stephanie Gay, Euan J. McCaughey, Andrew Georgiou

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: health care quality assurance; laboratory; pathology; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.009

Survey material choices in haematology EQA: a confounding factor in automated counting performance assessment

Barbara De la Salle

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: haematology; laboratory proficiency testing; blood cell count

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.008

Interpretation of EQA results and EQA-based trouble shooting

Gunn Berit Berge Kristensen, Piet Meijer

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: external quality assessment; commutability; reference method; EQA error; between lot variation

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.007

Evaluation of staff performance and interpretation of the screening program for prevention of thalassemia

Simaporn Prommetta, Kanokwan Sanchaisuriya, Goonnapa Fucharoen, Supawadee Yamsri, Attawut Chaiboonroeng, Supan Fucharoen

Original papers, Volume 27, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: laboratory proficiency testing; thalassemia; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.040

Demystifying EQA statistics and reports

Wim Coucke, Mohamed Rida Soumali

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: external quality assessment; statistics; Q-score; Z-score

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.006

An overview of the European Organization for External Quality Assurance Providers in Laboratory Medicine (EQALM)

Anne Stavelin, Xavier Albe, Piet Meijer, Erika Sarkany, Finlay MacKenzie

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: laboratory proficiency testing; quality assessment; laboratory medicine

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.005

National survey on current situation of critical value reporting in 973 laboratories in China

Yang Fei, Haijian Zhao, Wei Wang, Falin He, Kun Zhong, Shuai Yuan, Zhiguo Wang

Original Papers, Volume 27, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: critical value; quality indicators; extra-analytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.030707

Big differences in primary care celiac disease serological markers request in Spain

Maria Salinas, Maite López-Garrigós, Emilio Flores, Carlos Leiva-Salinas

Short Communication, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: celiac disease; quality indicators; clinical laboratory services; benchmarking

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.025

The role of EQA in harmonization in laboratory medicine – a global effort

Graham R.D. Jones

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Review, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: external quality assurance; metrological comparability; harmonization

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.004

Analytical robustness of nine common assays: frequency of outliers and extreme differences identified by a large number of duplicate measurements

Stefanie Neubig, Anne Grotevendt, Anders Kallner, Matthias Nauck, Astrid Petersmann

Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: clinical chemistry tests; humans; reproducibility of results; analytical quality; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.021

Special issue on External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine – current challenges and future trends

Barbara De la Salle, Piet Meijer, Annette Thomas, Ana-Maria Simundic

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Editorial, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.003

External quality assessment of medical laboratories in Croatia: preliminary evaluation of post-analytical laboratory testing

Jasna Lenicek Krleza, Adrijana Dorotic, Ana Grzunov

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: post-analytical phase; standardization; external quality assessment; questionnaire

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.018

Preanalytical external quality assessment of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine and CROQALM: finding undetected weak spots

Nora Nikolac, Jasna Lenicek Krleza, Ana-Maria Simundic

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: preanalytical phase; external quality assessment; laboratory error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.017

Evaluating performance in sweat testing in medical biochemistry laboratories in Croatia

Merica Aralica, Jasna Lenicek Krleza

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: sweat testing; external quality assessment; survey

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.016

Proficiency testing of maternal serum prenatal screening in second trimester in China, 2015

Xiaoyan Zhang, Wei Wang, Falin He, Kun Zhong, Shuai Yuan, Zhiguo Wang

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: maternal serum screening tests; proficiency testing; pregnancy trimester

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.015

Implementing a regional integrated laboratory proficiency testing scheme for peripheral health facilities in East Africa

Stephen Munene, Jackson Songok, Dennis Munene, Jane Carter

Special Issue: External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Medicine - Original Papers, Volume 27, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: external quality assessment; accreditation; proficiency testing

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2017.014

27th Symposium of Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine: National external quality assessment: from sample to evaluation.

Symposium abstracts, Volume 26, October, Issue 3

Timeliness “at a glance”: assessing the turnaround time through the six sigma metrics

Cristiano Ialongo, Sergio Bernardini

Original papers, Volume 26, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: turnaround time; statistical data analysis; quality control; healthcare quality indicator; postanalytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.010

Failure to review STAT clinical laboratory requests and its economical impact

Enrique Rodriguez-Borja, Celia Villalba-Martinez, Esther Barba-Serrano, Arturo Carratala-Calvo

Original papers, Volume 26, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality indicators; health care; extra-analytical phase; total quality management; clinical laboratory information systems

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.005

Indications for laboratory tests in primary care: assessment of the most frequent indications and requests with blank clinical information

Maria Salinas, Maite López-Garrigós, Emilio Flores, Maria Leiva-Salinas, Patricia Esteban, Miguel Ahumada, Carlos Leiva-Salinas

Short communication, Volume 26, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: clinical laboratory; pre-analytical phase; primary care; quality indicators; test request

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.045

Continuous quality control of the blood sampling procedure using a structured observation scheme

Tine Lindberg Seemann, Mads Nybo

Original papers, Volume 26, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: observation; phlebotomy; preanalytical phase; quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.037

Additional technician tasks and turnaround time in the clinical Stat laboratory

Maria Salinas, Maite López-Garrigós, Emilio Flores, Maria Leiva-Salinas, Rosa Lillo, Carlos Leiva-Salinas

Short communication, Volume 26, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: medical laboratory personnel; quality indicators; health care

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.027

A model for managing and monitoring the quality of glucometers used in a high-volume clinical setting

Güzin Aykal, Ayşenur Yegin, Özgür Tekeli, Necat Yilmaz

Original paper, Volume 26, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: point-of-care testing (POCT); quality management program for glucometers; high-volume clinical setting; ISO 15197

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.022

Laboratory-based clinical audit as a tool for continual improvement: an example from CSF chemistry turnaround time audit in a South-African teaching hospital

Lucius C Imoh, Mubanga Mutale, Christopher T Parker, Rajiv T Erasmus, Annalise E Zemlin

Original paper, Volume 26, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: turnaround time; laboratory audit; quality indicator; continual improvement; CSF chemistry

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2016.021

Application of sigma metrics for the assessment of quality assurance using the MQ-2000 PT HbA1c analyzer

Kağan Huysal, Yasemin U Budak

Original papers, Volume 25, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: diabetes mellitus; hemoglobin A1c protein; human; chromatography; high pressure liquid chromatography

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.042

How compliant are technicians with universal safety measures in medical laboratories in Croatia? – A pilot study

Kristina Dukic, Matea Zoric, Petra Pozaic, Jelena Starcic, Marija Culjak, Andrea Saracevic, Marijana Miler

Original papers, Volume 25, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: survey; compliance; laboratory technician; universal safety measures; total quality management; clinical laboratory services

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.038

Specimen rejection in laboratory medicine: Necessary for patient safety?

Zeliha Gunnur Dikmen, Asli Pinar, Filiz Akbiyik

Original papers, Volume 25, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: clinical laboratory services; total quality management; patient safety; preanalytical phase; preanalytical error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.037

Assessment of patient safety culture in clinical laboratories in the Spanish National Health System

Angeles Giménez-Marín, Francisco Rivas-Ruiz, Ana M. García-Raja, Rafael Venta-Obaya, Margarita Fusté-Ventosa, Inmaculada Caballé-Martín, Alfonso Benítez-Estevez, Ana I. Quinteiro-García, José Luis Bedini, Antonio León-Justel, Montserrat Torra-Puig

Original papers, Volume 25, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: patient safety; clinical laboratory services; questionnaires; cross-sectional studies; public hospital; universal safety measures; total quality management

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.036

In vitro diagnostic company recalls and medical laboratory practices: an Italian case

Gabriel Lima-Oliveira, Giuseppe Lippi, Gian Luca Salvagno, Giorgio Brocco, Gian Cesare Guidi

Case Report, Volume 25, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: clinical laboratory techniques; patient safety; laboratory variability; reference standards; quality control; parathyroid hormone

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.028

National survey on intra-laboratory turnaround time for some most common routine and stat laboratory analyses in 479 laboratories in China

Yang Fei, Rong Zeng, Wei Wang, Falin He, Kun Zhong, Zhiguo Wang

Research Article, Volume 25, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality indicators; quality control; clinical laboratory services

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.021

Method evaluation study of a new generation of vitamin D assays

Dietmar Enko, Gernot Kriegshäuser, Robert Stolba, Elfriede Worf, Gabriele Halwachs-Baumann

Research Article, Volume 25, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: vitamin D; immunoassays; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; reference standards; quality improvement

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.020

Croatian survey on critical results reporting

Lara Milevoj Kopcinovic, Jasenka Trifunović, Tihana Pavosevic, Nora Nikolac

Research Article, Volume 25, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: critical results; laboratory testing; quality indicators; survey; post-analytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.019

Clinical biochemistry laboratory rejection rates due to various types of preanalytical errors

Aysenur Atay, Leyla Demir, Serap Cuhadar, Gulcan Saglam, Hulya Unal, Saliha Aksun, Banu Arslan, Asuman Ozkan, Recep Sutcu

Original papers, Volume 24, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: preanalytical error; quality indicator; specimen rejection

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.040

Contamination of lithium heparin blood by K2-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): an experimental evaluation

Gabriel Lima-Oliveira, Gian Luca Salvagno, Elisa Danese, Giorgio Brocco, Gian Cesare Guidi, Giuseppe Lippi

Original papers, Volume 24, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: contamination; EDTA; patient safety; preanalytical variability; total quality management; preanalytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.038

Pre-analytical errors management in the clinical laboratory: a five-year study

Angeles Giménez-Marín, Francisco Rivas-Ruiz, Maria del Mar Pérez-Hidalgo, Pedro Molina-Mendoza

Original papers, Volume 24, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: total quality management; quality indicators; health care; laboratories; patient safety

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.027

How to conduct External Quality Assessment Schemes for the pre-analytical phase?

Gunn B.B. Kristensen, Kristin Moberg Aakre, Ann Helen Kristoffersen, Sverre Sandberg

Review, Volume 24, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: quality assurance; health care; pre-analytical; quality indicators; health care; external quality assessment

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.013

Harmonization of pre-analytical quality indicators

Mario Plebani, Laura Sciacovelli, Ada Aita, Maria Laura Chiozza

Review, Volume 24, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: harmonization; pre-analytical-phase; quality indicators; patient safety; clinical laboratories

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2014.012

2nd EFLM-BD European Conference on Preanalytical Phase: Preanalytical quality improvement – in quality we trust, Zagreb, March 1-2, 2013

Symposium abstracts, Volume 23, February, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.015

The importance of having a flexible scope ISO 15189 accreditation and quality specifications based on biological variation – the case of validation of the biochemistry analyzer Dimension Vista

Pilar Fernandez-Calle, Sandra Pelaz, Paloma Oliver, Maria Jose Alcaide, Ruben Gomez-Rioja, Antonio Buno, Jose Manuel Iturzaeta

Original papers, Volume 23, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: biological variation; ISO 15189; interchangeability of results; Dimension Vista

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.011

Are patients well informed about the fasting requirements for laboratory blood testing?

Sanja Kackov, Ana-Maria Simundic, Ani Gatti-Drnic

Original papers, Volume 23, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: pre-analytical variability; fasting; patient education; quality indicators; self report questionnaires

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.040

Reduction of gross hemolysis in catheter-drawn blood using Greiner Holdex® tube holder

Giuseppe Lippi, Paola Avanzini, Rosalia Aloe, Gianfranco Cervellin

Original papers, Volume 23, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: preanalytical variability; hemolysis; sample quality; intravenous line

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.036

The most common nonconformities encountered during the assessments of medical laboratories in Hong Kong using ISO 15189 as accreditation criteria

Bella Ho, Eric Ho

Original papers, Volume 22, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: accreditation; quality improvement; healthcare quality assurance; clinical pathology

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2012.027

Preanalytical phase – a continuous challenge for laboratory professionals

Ana-Maria Simundic, Giuseppe Lippi

Editorial, Volume 22, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: preanalytical phase; errors; quality indicators; phlebotomy; blood sampling

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2012.017

The regulation of clinical chemistry in Slovenia

Pika Mesko Brguljan

Special issue, Volume 21, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: education; training; EC4; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2011.003

New ways to deal with known preanalytical issues: use of transilluminator instead of tourniquet for easing vein access and eliminating stasis on clinical biochemistry

Gabriel Lima-Oliveira, Giuseppe Lippi, Gian Luca Salvagno, Martina Montagnana, Cristovão Luis Pitanguiera Manguera, Nairo M. Sumita, Geraldo Picheth, Gian Cesare Guidi, Marileia Scartezini

Original papers, Volume 21, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: phlebotomy and blood collection; pre analytical phase; quality management system in clinical laboratory; transillumination; venous stasis.

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2011.024

Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine in Croatia: regulation of the profession

Ana-Maria Simundic, Elizabeta Topic, Dubravka Cvoriscec, Ivana Cepelak

Special issue, Volume 21, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: education; training; EC4; accreditation; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2011.005

Self reported routines and procedures for the extra-analytical phase of laboratory practice in Croatia - cross-sectional survey study

Lidija Bilić-Zulle, Ana-Maria Simundic, Vesna Šupak Smolčić, Nora Nikolac, Lorena Honović

Original papers, Volume 20, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: clinical chemistry tests; extra-analytical phase; quality of health care; questionnaire

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.008

Total quality in laboratory diagnostics. It's time to think outside the box

Giuseppe Lippi, Ana-Maria Simundic

Editorial, Volume 20, February, Issue 1

KEYWORDS: patient safety; laboratory diagnostics; preanalytical phase; errors; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.001

Accreditation in clinical laboratories

Tomáš Zima

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: accreditation; ISO 15189 standard; quality system

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.026

Total quality in laboratory diagnostics: the role of commercial companies

Ana K. Stankovic, Jeffrey Silvetri2, Michael Mails, Carmen Najork

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: preanalytical systems; in vitro diagnostic devices; laboratory instrument; reagent; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.025

Quality in point of care testing

Davide Giavarina, Adele Villani, Marco Caputo

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality; point of care; laboratory medicine; turn-around-time; error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.024

Quality in coagulation and haemostasis testing

Roslyn Bonar, Emmanuel J. Favaloro, Dorothy M. Adcock

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: quality; haemostasis; coagulation; internal quality control; external quality assurance

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.023

Quality in the extra-analytical phases of urinalysis

Alberta Caleffi, Fabio Manoni, Maria Grazia Alessio, Cosimo Ottomano, Giuseppe Lippi

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: urine; urinalysis; quality; prenalytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.022

Reference intervals as a tool for total quality management

Gian Cesare Guidi, Gian Luca Salvagno

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: reference intervals; reference range; statistics; laboratory diagnostics

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.020

The role of the External Quality Assessment

Laura Sciacovelli, Sandra Secchiero, Lorena Zardo, Mario Plebani

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: External Quality Assessment; proficiency testing; laboratory performance; analytical quality; analytical quality control

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.019

Hemolysis detection and management of hemolyzed specimens

Ana-Maria Simundic, Elizabeta Topic, Nora Nikolac, Giuseppe Lippi

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: hemolysis; extra-analytical quality; errors; laboratory testing; interference

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.018

Quality in the analytical phase

Oswald Sonntag

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: analytical errors; patient safety; clinical laboratory; quality control; drug interference; calibration; paraprotein; reference interval

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.017

Quality and diagnostic perspectives in laboratory diagnostics

Mathias M. Müller

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: laboratory medicine; diagnostic process; pre-analytical phase; post-analytical phase

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.016

Overview on patient safety in healthcare and laboratory diagnostics

Giuseppe Lippi, Ana-Maria Simundic, Ca­mil­la Mat­tiuz­zi

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: errors; quality; patient safety; outcome; prevention

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.015

30 years of the Austrian Society for Quality Assurance and Standardisation of Medical-Diagnostics

Mathias M. Müller

Editorial, Volume 20, February, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.003

Quality in laboratory diagnostics: from theory to practice

Giuseppe Lippi, Mario Plebani, Ana-Maria Simundic

Special issue, Volume 20, June, Issue 2

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.014

A model for results comparison on two different biochemistry analyzers in laboratory accredited according to the ISO 15189

Marijana Miler, Ana-Maria Simundic, Mario Štefanović, Dragica Ferenec-Ružić, Marina Kvaternik, Elizabeta Topić, Nada Vrkić

Original papers, Volume 19, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: accreditation; analyzer comparison; internal quality control; laboratory error

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2009.027

Application of biological variation – a review

Carmen Ricós, Carmen Perich, Joana Minchinela, Virtudes Álvarez, Margarita Simón, Carmen Biosca, Mariví Doménech, Pilar Fernández, Carlos-Víctor Jiménez, José Vicente Garcia-Lario, Fernando Cava

Short review, Volume 19, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: biological variation; quality specifications; reference change value; delta check; laboratory report

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2009.023

The assessment of interpretation of test results in laboratory medicine

Gordon S. Challand, Ping Li

Review, Volume 19, June, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: interpretation of results; External Quality Assurance Schemes

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2009.014

Quality indicators

Ana-Maria Simundic, Elizabeta Topić

Short review, Volume 18, October, Issue 3

KEYWORDS: quality indicators; Total Quality Management; benchmarking; continuous improvement; accreditation; quality

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2008.027

Quality of electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing images compressed using JPEG and JPEG2000

Slavica Dodig, Ulrich Kragh-Hansen, Lorenzo Minchiotti, Matko Dodig, Sonja Grgić, Bojan Benko

Original papers, Volume 17, December, Issue 2

KEYWORDS: JPEG; JPEG2000; image compression; image analysis; telemedicine; electrophoresis; isoelectric focusing

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2007.022