The Westgard Rules

New Book: Basic QC Practices, Third Edition

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

The best book on QC just got better.

For more than a decade, thousands of laboratory professionals have made Basic QC Practices their standard reference on quality control.

In this new edition, Dr. James O. Westgard and colleagues have significantly expanded their coverage of the latest issues:

• Comprehensive discussion of the Total Testing Process, including Pre-Analytic, Analytic and Post-Analytic sources of errors
• Added chapters on Equivalent QC, EQC Evaluation Protocols, and Risk Assessment
• New analytics of QC for molecular diagnostics, virology, genetics, and cancer markers
• Updated coverage of CLIA, CAP, JC requirements
• All of this, plus the best lessons on quality control, Levey-Jennings control charts, trouble-shooting, and "Westgard Rules"

Click here to download a free preview of the Basic QC Practices, Third Edition manual, including the Preface, TOC, Index and chapter excerpts.

Basic QC Practices, Third Edition
2010, 352 pages, 6" x 9" perfect bound
ISBN 1-886958-07-6
ISBN-13  978-1-886958-07-4

If you order online now, you can save $15 off the list price, using the online coupon code: BQC3ED
[the fine print: online store only, one coupon per customer, per order, cannot be combined with other offers, expires May 31st]

Read chapter excerpt: Pre- and Post-Analytical Quality

Read chapter excerpt: QC for Molecular diagnostic testing

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Lab 2010: Are we aiming for the same goals?

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

As we write, the National Basketball Playoffs are underway. The home team for Westgard QC, the Milwaukee Bucks, just went down to defeat in the final game of a 7-game series.

Those who follow basketball know that in a series like this, the teams basically alternate home court advantage. The Bucks went to Atlanta to play the Hawks for two game,s then the Hawks came to Milwaukee to play the Bucks for two games, etc. But while there is a home court advantage in the audience (which didn't work: both teams won away games), the courts in every stadium are the same. The basketball hoop in Atlanta is the same as the basketball hoop in Milwaukee. Why is that?

Because the rules specify a consistent goal. The NBA has a rule book which states the precise size of the court, equipment and basket size. A basket, for example, "shall consist of a pressure-release NBA approved metal safety ring 18" in inside diameter with a white cord net 15" to 18" in length." Every stadium must comply with this rule. 

Likewise, there is a single standard for the basketball: "The National Basketball Association (NBA) allows only one official ball: The ball must be the official NBA game ball manufactured by Spalding. The ball is orange in color, 29.5 inches in circumference and weighs 22 ounces (size 7). It must also be inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch."

Sorry for the long prologue. But wouldn't it be nice if labs were the same?

These Sigmas go to Eleven

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

What's in a Sigma-metric of 3, 6, or even 11?

Sigma-metrics provide a useful way of classifying method performance and relating that performance to the QC that is necessary to “verify the attainment of the intended quality of test results,” which is a requirement of ISO 15189.  But, Sigma-metrics are not foolproof.  Does that bother you?

Maybe it's better if we frame this by referencing the 1984 cult film, This is Spinal Tap.