Sigma Metric Analysis
A chance to get a second look at instrument performance. In 2011, CCLM had a study of performance of the Menarini/ARKRAY ADAMS A1c HA-8180V analyzer. In 2012, Lab Med Online has another study, which gives us another opportunity to see if the first findings hold up.
A 2011 study performed analysis on the performance of cancer markers on the Siemens Vista. We use the data and calculate Sigma-metrics. How good do cancer marker assays need to be? Are new methods meeting those goals?
In a 2011 study, an India hospital laboratory undertook a quality assessment of their clinical chemistry methods using Sigma-metrics. Is laboratory method quality the same the world over?
In a 2010 study, the performance of an Olympus AU2700 plus was evaluated, using allowable maximum bias and imprecision values from the Ricos et al biologic variation database. Which got us to thinking, what would the metrics be if the Ricos specifications for allowable total error were used? For that matter, what if Rilibak or CLIA quality requirements were used?
In January 2011, the journal, Diabetes Care, published a study of blood glucose meters: Suboptimal Performance of Blood Glucose Meters in an Antenatal Diabetes Clinic. In addition to highlighting some of the findings, we add Sigma-metrics calculations and Method Decision charts.