The Westgard Rules

Exclusive Sigma VP Consultants in China: QuaLab

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Following the successful training workshop in Shanghai, Westgard QC and QuaLab entered into a long-term partnership on independent consulting and training related to the Sigma VP program.

Westgard QC and QuaLab sign long-term partnership

QuaLab President Kunxue Shen and Sten Westgard signed the partnership agreement, which will allow the Sigma VP program to expand to many more laboratories in China. QuaLab will act as a third-party consultant partner, accepting laboratories of any types, provided they meet the rigorous standards of the Sigma VP program.

As a US-based company, Westgard QC cannot travel as often as necessary to China to serve the increasing demand for training, education, and verification of medical laboratories. QuaLab will act on Westgard's behalf to provide that expertise on a local level.

We are pleased that QuaLab has invested in training their own staff to a high level of skill in QC, Method Validation, Quality Systems, and Six Sigma. This will help their customers not only in achieving the Sigma VP status, but in improving their quality systems on a broader scale.

QuaLab and Westgard QC - partnering to provide China with better quality

Thanks again to QuaLab for partnering with us and for promoting and teaching the ideas behind Quality.

 

Westgard Quality Manager Training: Shanghai

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

With our consulting partner, QuaLab, we recently conducted a training workshop for Quality Managers in Shanghai.

 Participants from 10 labs all across China took place to learn more about QC, Six Sigma, and the Sigma VP program.

QuaLab and Westgard Quality Manager Training

We were impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the participants. Many of the labs in China have already outpaced the rest of the world in sheer size, scope, and volume. But the skills of the laboratory staff are not far behind.

Thanks to QuaLab for arranging and conducting the Westgard Quality Manager Training.

QuaLab Staff, Dr. Richard Pang, and Sten Westgard

IQC, EQC, IQCP... and now OBQC?

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

My esteemed colleague, good friend, and keen-eyed tracker of all things regulatory. Dr. Sharon Ehrmeyer, alerted me to a HUGE change in US regulations.

In April CMS sent out a memo title "Policy Clarification on Acceptable Control Materials Used when Quality Control (QC) is Performed in Laboratories"

This memo may contain as big a shift in regulatory policy as IQCP was to EQC.  More, after the jump...

Booth 3739: The Philadelphia (Quality) Story

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

It's getting to be that time of year again, when all eyes turn toward the AACC / ASCLS conference.

Westgard QC will be exhibiting the hall at Booth 3739, with James dispensing wisdom, Sten handing out sarcasm, and Joan providing hugs and motherly advice. Come see your family - and if you're reading this blog, you really are part of our family.

Sten, Joan, Jim, and great friend Dr. Richard Pang

There will also be the annual "Westgard Wear" Raffle, including a unique new prize only created this year, more on that soon...

Come Join Us: Westgard & Westgard at the Heart of Quality

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

At this year's AACC meeting in Philadelphia, you've got a unique chance to hear an expert (and a not-so-expert) on all things quality, QC, and the innovations that are helping laboratories survive their economic straitjackets.

Tuesday, August 2nd, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, Philadelphia.

Seats are limited so reservations are strongly encouraged.

Take this chance to clear your lab arteries of QC blockages, poor performance plaque, and slow TAT valves. With the right tools, you can have a healthier lab, better results, and happier patients.

The 2016 IQCP Poll!

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

It's May and we're five months into the IQCP era. Time to ask labs how they're doing, what they've done, and how they feel about the IQCP regulations now that they are reality.

As usual, we're going to offer 5 prizes to survey participants.Complete the survey and you'll be entered to win your choice of "Westgard Wear" (cap, bobble-head, or thumb drive - or you can choose something useful like an online course instead.)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P9K6NMH

Please... Rant, Rave, Review!

Happy Lab Week Hangover

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Last week was that tiny window of time when we celebrate Laboratory Professionals. The unsung, often invisible, heroes of the medical community. Laboratory Professionals do indeed get results - and the public and the clinicians often don't appreciate how critical that information is.

Now that week is over, you might be feeling a little low. But instead of coming down from the high of the celebration, keep the party going:

LABWEEKHANGOVER   

This coupon code is good for 15% off any purchase at the online store.

This second coupon is valid until the end of this month (May 31st). We don't recommend partying the whole month, of course. But perhaps a great deal will make up for the fact that the fun is over.

[The fine print: one discount per person, per order only; cannot be combined with other offers; discount applies to online orders placed through westgard.com only.]

 

P.S. If you place an order, you're also automatically entered into the "Son of the Westgard" raffle (see below). And if you look closely at the picture above, you might be able to pick out the newest addition to Westgard gear...

Son of the Westgard Raffle

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

As some of you nurse the Lab Week hangover, we here at Westgard QC are not ready to let the partying stop.

So here we're going to re-instate our "Westgard Wear" raffle, which now includes such novelties as Bobble-head Jim and USB Jim ... and this year we're adding something even more (or less) exciting.

You can enter by emailing directly to [email protected] or simply by joining the Westgard website (if you haven't already done so).

Some will enter. Ten will win.  Many will scratch their heads why...

[You've got not only this week, but all of May to enter.]