Journal of Medical Biochemistry (Jan 2017)
The evaluation of analytical performance of immunoassay tests by using Six-Sigma method
Abstract
Background: The Six-Sigma Methodology is a quality measurement method in order to evaluate the performance of the laboratory. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of our laboratory by using the internal quality control data of immunoassay tests and by calculating process SIGMA values. M ethods: Biological variation database (BVD) are used for Total Allowable Error (TEa). SIGMA values were determined from coefficient of variation (CV) and bias resulting from Internal Quality Control (IQC) results for 3 subsequent months. If the SIGMA values are > 6 , between 3 and 6, and 6 was found for TP S A and TSH for the both levels of IQC for 3 months. When the SIGMA values were analyzed by calculating the mean of 3 months, folate, LH, PRL, TPSA , TSH and vitamin B12 were found > 6. The mean SIGMA values of C A 1 2 5 , CA15-3, CA19-9, CEA , cortisol, ferritin, FSH, FT3, PTH and testosteron were > 3 for 3-months. However, A FP C A 125 and FT4 produced SIGMA values <3 for varied months. C o nclu sio n s: When the analytical performance was evaluated according to Six-Sigma levels, it was generally found as good. It is possible to determine the test with high error probability by evaluating the fine SIGMA levels and the tests that must be quarded by a stringent quality control regime. In clinical chemistry laboratories, an appropriate quality control scheduling should be done for each test by using Six-Sigma Methodology.
