Sigma Metric Analysis
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.
In March 2010, the Centre for Evidence-Based Purchasing (CEP) in the United Kingdom released an evaluation report: Point of care tests for the measurement of blood creatinine. The Guildford Medical Device Evaluation Centre (GEMC) evaluated the performance of multiple devices. In addition to highlighting some of the findings, we add Sigma-metrics calculations and Method Decision charts.
An abstract from the 2010 AACC/ASCLS meeting compared Three POC Analyzers for HbA1c. Given the recent study from Lenters-Westra and Slingerland (where 6 out of 8 analyzers couldn't meet the standards for analytical performance), how do these three devices fare?