Question

discuss the use, purpose and evaluation of Westguard Rules along with interpretation of histogram results. What are the Westguard Rules and how should they be used to assess quality control results? What are the various types of preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical sources of error and how can these potentials for error be reduced? What responsibility do lab managers have in ensuring the quality of testing results and what are some quality processes that should be implemented?

Answer 1

• These are multirule quality control based on statistical concept. It uses a combination of control rules and mainly for the quality check and the quality assurance. There are 6 parameters of evaluation. There are warning rules which gives indication of possible errors and there are rejection rules.  
• There are 6 rules such as : 1-3s, 2-2s, R-4s, 1-2s, 4-1s, and 10x. This rules either individually or in combination check the Qc of the experiment and detect the system errors and the random errors.
• The 1st one is the warning rules which indicate to look for the errors by analysing other controls. The 2nd one shows the unacceptable random error or poosibility of starting of a huge systematic error. The 3rd one detects the systematic error. The 4th one shows only the random error. The last one 10x detects the systematic error and indicates a trend or shift. 4-1s compares the data of the previous control and interpreted same as 10x one. Then steps are taken to resolve the qc problems.
• The sources of error are Input data such as calibration values and standard used, accuracy of the instrument, imperfection of the observer, environment and different assumed theories. These errors can be reduced by qc measures and solving technological anomalies.
• The lab manager should ensure the quality of the work by checking the equipments, safeguard measures and information security of the workplace and oversight management to be ensured. There programmes such as QMS and EQA for ensuring quality of the lab processes.