A detailed example of QC planning using analytical quality requirements is provided for a Cholesterol test that is subject to CLIA proficiency testing. Another example considers a Cholesterol test and a clinical quality requirement based on NCEP guidelines for interpretation of a screening test. In Tools and Technology for QC Planning , Dr. Westgard describes how to make QC planning practical using graphical tools, such as power function graphs, critical-error graphs, and OPSpecs charts. The QC Validator computer program is introduced as an example of the kind of technology needed to provide these graphical tools. A demo of the program can be downloaded from the website and viewed to illustrate QC Validator's use.
Detailed tutorials are also available via download from the website.
FAQs about QC Validator provides additional discussion of the use and application of this computer program. The performance of statistical QC procedures can be characterized by determining the probabilities of rejecting analytical runs that have different sizes of errors, as described in this lesson on Power Function Graphs . An example of the application of power functions considers Higher N QC Procedures for Immunoassays . Additional discussion is provided by FAQs for Power Function and Critical- Error Graphs. The application of critical-error graphs is illustrated by QC Selection for a Multitest Chemistry Analyzer that performs 18 different tests.