Tools, Technologies and Training for Healthcare Laboratories

Errors before the Laboratory

Several recent studies assert they have calculated the rate of error in laboratories, pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical. But what those numbers mean depends on what's being counted and who's doing the counting.

The Meaning and Application of Total Error

While the scientific community has grown comfortable with the once-revolutionary concept of "total error", novices and newcomers are often puzzled by the term. Dr. Westgard answers a few "back to basics" questions about total error and its role in laboratory testing.

Test Quality vs. Method Performance: What's the Difference?

A question that often comes up when Dr. Westgard makes a presentation: What’s the difference between the quality of a test and the performance of a method? (Would it surprise you to learn that manufacturer claims aren't always produced in routine laboratory operation?)

$aving the Cost$ of Poor Quality

Contrary to popular business belief, there are ways to improve quality and save money at the same time. Six Sigma is founded on that core philosophy. But where are the savings in the laboratory? Here's a hard fact: poor QC practices are wasting money in your laboratory RIGHT NOW. Dr. Westgard shows how to identify, quantify, and eliminate the wasted time, effort, and resources spent on repeat runs, repeated controls, and poor patient care. (Preview)

Errors in Reasoning about Laboratory Errors

What's scarier? The fact that there are errors in laboratories, or the fact that we don't understand what those errors mean? A lot of logically dubious arguments have been put forward about reducing QC, ignoring QC, or eliminating the practice of QC altogether. Dr. Westgard examines and refutes the thinking behind these arguments.