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Sigma metrics in laboratory medicine revisited: We are on the right road with the wrong map.
- Source :
-
Biochemia medica [Biochem Med (Zagreb)] 2018 Jun 15; Vol. 28 (2), pp. 020503. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Reliable procedures are needed to quantify the performance of instruments and methods in order to increase the quality in clinical laboratories. The Sigma metrics serves that purpose, and in the present study, the current methods for the calculation of the Sigma metrics are critically evaluated. Although the conventional model based on permissible (or allowable) total error is widely used, it has been shown to be flawed. An alternative method is proposed based on the within-subject biological variation. This model is conceptually similar to the model used in industry to quantify measurement performance, based on the concept of the number of distinct categories and consistent with the Six Sigma methodology. The quality of data produced in clinical laboratories is expected, however, to be higher than the quality of industrial products. It is concluded that this model is consistent with Six Sigma theory, original Sigma metrics equation and with the nature of patients' samples. Therefore, it can be used easily to calculate the performance of measurement methods and instruments used in clinical laboratories.<br />Competing Interests: Potential conflict of interest: None declared.
- Subjects :
- Humans
Clinical Laboratory Techniques
Total Quality Management methods
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1330-0962
- Volume :
- 28
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Biochemia medica
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30022880
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2018.020503