The Westgard Rules

In the news: wrong result lands mother in jail, child in protective services

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

AS if we don't have enough evidence that laboratory test results are vital, critical, and have real impact on our patients, we have a tragic story out of Detroit.

Detroit Medical Center ran a test on a 5-year-old child and it came back positive for cocaine.

On this basis, the mother was jailed, the child was placed in child protective services.

36 hours later, both were reunited. There had been an error in the lab result.

See more details here: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2018/05/5-year-old_was_not_high_on_coc.html

Lab tests matter. Quality matters even more.

How the "Westgard Rules" got their name...

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Ever wondered why they're called the "Westgard Rules"? (The 1981 paper simply discusses a "multirule QC procedure") Jacob Levine, of Technicon, Bayer, and Siemens, was there at the very birth of what became commonly called "Westgard Rules". Once upon a time there was the Technicon SMAC, and it needed the perfect marriage of QC and practicality. For the full article, (subscription required)

 

How the Westgard QC Rules Got Their Name: A Personal Recollection

http://clinchem.aaccjnls.org/content/64/5/874/tab-article-info

Coming soon to a Chicago near you: Booth 1823

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

The annual meeting of AACC and ASCLS is coming soon - and we'll be there at both 1823!

Westgard QC will be exhibiting at the 2018 AACC/ASCLS convention at Booth 1823, with James dispensing wisdom, Sten handing out sarcasm, and Joan providing hugs and motherly advice.

Come see to the Quality family reunion - and if you're reading this blog, you really are part of our family.

You can also browse the latest paper on Six Sigma QC Frequency, the latest, newest tool for QC.

We'll have a map of all the Sigma Verification of Performance Program (Sigma VP) labs in the world as well, so you can see whose company you will be joining wen you apply. The program is open to laboratories in the US as well as around the world.

Finally, of course, we will be holding the annual "Westgard Wear" raffle. The highlight of any Lab Geek's collection is a bobble-head or thumb drive. And you can only get them here.

We look forward to see you soon.

Save the date: July 29th, AACC University

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

For the 41st time, the longest-running training event in AACC history returns:

8:30am–11:30am, July 29, 2018

Trust, but Verify: Getting the Most Out of Verification Protocols for FDA-Approved Methods

Can laboratories assume that all methods are acceptable?

Sadly, no. Labs are responsible for verifying that their methods perform “as advertised.”

Participants will learn how to implement and interpret the required verification studies performed when first using an FDA-approved method.

The workshop will focus on CLSI guidelines but include additional assessment tools such as Sigma metrics.

Participants will learn how to judge method performance objectively to determine whether or not the test is providing results that meet the required
quality for good patient care.

Save the Date: August 1st, AACC annual meeting

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

 

34101 Biological Variation: Improved Interpretation of Lab Results and Reduced False Rejections for QC 08/01/2018 10:30 AM Until 08/01/2018 12:00 PM Product Category: Scientific Session

CE Hours: 1.5 Hours Session Level: Intermediate Session Overview: The biological variation of a laboratory test is a determination of the assay's analytical imprecision, and variances within and between individuals. From these data, the index of individuality, reference change value, homeostatic set points, and establishment of performance goals for quality control can be determined. Needs Assessment: Few laboratorians and even fewer physicians understand the concepts and value of biological variation (BV) studies. Yet, these measurements determine if reference intervals are appropriate for a laboratory test, how serial test can be interpreted, how one can establish a baseline for a test, and how BV data can be used for specify quality control goals . For example, cholesterol has low BV, and an index of individuality, therefore routine monitoring is a useful for prediction of cardiovascular disease risk. Serial rather than single measurements are essential in the rule out of acute myocardial infarction for patients with a mild increase in troponin. Alanine aminotransferase has high BV, therefore QC goals can be relaxed from the +/- 2SD rules to +/-2.5SD or even 3SD, to reduce the number of false QC rejections. A failure to understand BV will result in laboratories performing unnecessary investigations of QC failures. The number of papers published each year on biological variation have more than doubled since 2008. Intended Audience: This session is intended for all individuals who work in clinical laboratory science, from technologists who perform analyses, supervisors who must evaluate quality control data, lab scientists who perform biological variation studies, lab directors who provide clinical interpretation of laboratory data to those who order lab tests, and physicians who make management decisions based on lab test results. Expected Outcome: After this session, participants will be able to 1. design a study to determine the biological variation of a laboratory test 2. calculate from biological variation data, the index of individuality, reference change value and number of samples to establish a homeostatic set point 3. design a quality control system that incorporates the biological variation of a laboratory test as one of the important attributes. Speakers: Alan Wu, PhD, University of California/San Francisco General Hospital Determining biological variation for clinical lab tests Sten Westgard, MS, Westgard QC, Inc. Biological variation for establishing quality control goals

 

Save the date: August 1st, ASCLS annual meeting

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

I will be presenting a session as part of the ASCLS annual meeting in Chicago.

Westgard Rules: Past, Present and Future

Wednesday, August 1
9:15 AM–10:15 AM

Laboratory Discipline: QA Regulatory Affairs/Quality Management

In this session, we will review the evolution of QC practices toward higher confidence, lower costs, and optimized effort

I am thrilled to be part of the ASCLS program this year.

Save the date: September 10-11, Santiago, Chile

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Save the date: I'll be coming to the 15th clinical lab conference in Chile, September 10th and 11th, to discuss the evolution of "Westgard Rules" as well as Six Sigma QC Frequency. https://lnkd.in/dbw837x

 

A Global Six Sigma Survey

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

For more than 18 years, we've been talking about Six Sigma.

Now we want to hear from you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPSWG8Z

To help motivate you, we're offering several prizes to randomly selected survey participants. The prizes include...