Indicators and quality specifications for strategic and support processes related to the clinical laboratory: four years' experience

Rosa Ruiz; Ma Antònia Llopis; Carme Biosca; Gloria Trujillo; Ma Isabel Llovet; Ester Tarrés; Mercè Ibarz; Ma Jesus Alsina; Virtudes Alvarez; Glòria Busquets; Ma Vicenta Doménech; Carme Figueres; Joana Minchinela; Rosa Ma Pastor; Carmen Perich; Carmen Ricós; Mireia Sansalvador; Margarita Simón

doi:10.1515/CCLM.2010.229

Published by De Gruyter May 23, 2010

Indicators and quality specifications for strategic and support processes related to the clinical laboratory: four years' experience

Rosa Ruiz , Ma Antònia Llopis , Carme Biosca , Gloria Trujillo , Ma Isabel Llovet , Ester Tarrés , Mercè Ibarz , Ma Jesus Alsina , Virtudes Alvarez , Glòria Busquets , Ma Vicenta Doménech , Carme Figueres , Joana Minchinela , Rosa Ma Pastor , Carmen Perich , Carmen Ricós , Mireia Sansalvador and Margarita Simón

From the journal Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2010.229

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Abstract

Background: Quality specifications for indicators of the key analytic processes have been defined by international consensus. However, only preliminary specifications for laboratory-related strategic and support processes have been developed. The present study attempts to increase the robustness of the preliminary proposed specifications.

Methods: Recovering records and incidences occurred over a 4-year follow-up period, for 12 indicators, used in all laboratories from this group regarding strategic and support processes.

Results and conclusions: The results obtained indicate that it is better to establish an interval rather than a fixed value for the majority of indicators. Longer studies are needed to properly assess some quality specifications, and data recording system must be standardized in others. Additional, multicenter studies are needed to establish more robust specifications and determine the state of the art of laboratories in other settings.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1015–9.

Keywords: laboratory processes; quality indicators; quality specifications; quality system

Corresponding author: Dr. Rosa Ruiz, Laboratori Clínic L'Hospitalet, C/Lleida, s/n 08901 – Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain rruizm@ambitcp.catsalut.net

Received: 2009-11-11

Accepted: 2010-3-4

Published Online: 2010-05-23

Published in Print: 2010-07-01

Indicators and quality specifications for strategic and support processes related to the clinical laboratory: four years' experience

Abstract

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