The Westgard Rules

Biodatabase update alert, 2010

From Dr. Carmen Ricos, on behalf o the SEQC-Analytical Quality Commission:

"Table of Quality specifications 13-09-2010

"Because of a requirement from various readers, data for Thyroglobulin have been revised together with one author of the two papers compiled. In this way, it has been seen that both papers used different units to express the within and between -subject coefficients of variation (CV_I y CV_G, respectively) , the fact that had not been realized when preparing our quality specifications table.  Now, once all data are expressed in percentages, the values are: CV_I= 14%, CV_G=39% and consequently, the specifications are: imprecision (CV%)= 7.0, bias (SE%)= 10.4  and total error (TE%) = 21.9.

"We want to express our thanks to the readers for their help, as well as to apologize for the disturbances this error could have caused. Please, take the present revision of the Specifications table for further uses.

"Sincerely yours,

"SEQC- Analytical Quality Commission"

The biodatabase on Westgard Web has been updated to reflect this correction.

[A hat tip to the alert Westgard Web reader who saw the original entry and insistently asked a question - which prompted the Ricos group to double-check and ultimately correct an error. ]

Wanted: a few lab software testers

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Westgard QC is looking for a few good software testers.

This isn't a free software offer. This is something where we need your evaluation, your feedback, and some of your time. In exchange, you'll get a copy of the software in question without charge. We're looking to find some labs where there isn't a Levey-Jennings charting and/or Method Validation software package already available on the instrument, LIS, or middleware.

English fluency is an important factor - we need you to be able to easily express your reactions, your experiences with the software, your suggestions, etc. in written English comments.

Note: this testing is not for QC Design software. Our EZ Rules software is in a stable state and no upgrades are in the air. This testing opportunity is about software for other tasks, like charting and method validation.

If you're interested, please contact us at [email protected] by telling us about yourself and your laboratory.

Beyond 10,000

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

I had meant to post this a while ago, but the event occurred during our Westgard Workshops in late May, just as we entered an extremely busy part of our year.

What the title refers to is the fact that the Westgard Web has reached 10,000 members.

Actually, however, as of this moment, in early July, we have actually exceeded 11,000 members.

Now, this is not a huge accomplishment, since, after all, we don't charge for membership. It's not too hard to get members if there isn't a financial barrier to joining. So while the AACC, CLMA, and ASCLS have smaller memberships, their members are committed enough.

All that said, 11,000 is a large number, particularly for laboratory professionals. There aren't that many of them in the world and to see so many visit one place is a good sign that we're doing something right. And since all of those 11,000+ members took the time to tell us something about themselves, we have a better idea of what type of laboratories, companies, and organizations are interested in our offerings, as well as suggestions on what we should address in the future. Your feedback helps us stay in tune with the laboratory marketplace and we always want to hear from you.

In sum, Thank You to the Westgard Web members. We hope that you'll keep coming back for more.

AACC Convention: Booth 6708

Posted by Sten Westgard. MS

It's almost that time of year again. The annual convention of the AACC, held this year in Anaheim, California, on July 27th through the 29th.

Westgard QC will be exhibiting at Booth #6708.

If you should happen to be in the area, here's what you can expect from our booth:

• You can enter our annual "Westgard Wear" Raffle, and win one of our rare hats, shirts, or bags. It's something you can't get anywhere else - no store will stock this esoteric garb.

• You can take an up-close look at the new Basic QC Practices, third edition, manual (English version). The AACC intends to have the Spanish version available by the time of the convention.

• You can also see demonstrations of our software and online course material.

We encourage you to drop by the booth to say hello, ask a question, share a story, and let us know what we can do to help you.

Video: "Westgard Rules"

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Just an FYI. We have now added a 45 minute streaming video lecture about the "Westgard Rules" and basic QC topics to the following courses:

• "Westgard Rules" and Levey-Jennings short courseComplete Basic QC Practices online course.
  
  
• Basic QC Practices online course

So at the moment, every online course we offer (Method Validation, Secrets of MV, Intro to Quality Design) now includes a video segment.

One possible disappointment to many: this lecture is not by "the" Westgard, but by "a" Westgard.

Everything's New - except the blog

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

So there's a new website, new online store, and now... a new newsletter.

For those who are already subscribed to the newsletter (approximately 10,000 of you), you should have gotten something like this in your InBox:

 

If you add [email protected] to your address book, you should be able to receive the newsletter without trouble.

Any problems? Please let us know.

What didn't change ... yet

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

We're still smoothing out the wrinkles on the new website system, but the way articles are organized and accessed is pretty much in place. About 100 articles are totally free to access, and over 200 more can be accessed if you get a free membership.

Now, what hasn't changed?

We still havean online store is still at http://www.westgardqc.com

The online courses are still at http://www.westgard.org

The new online store is available, too. So you have a choice about where to place your order. In a few months, we will de-activate the separate online store at westgardqc.com. The integrated store will become the only store.

The online courses will probably remain on the separate server for several more years. We may change the look of the online course portal, so that it better synchronizes with the look of the main content website.

So if you're wondering where to order books or sign up for courses, nothing has changed. But in the future, you'll place your orders right through the store at www.westgard.com

Change is here

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Westgard Web has moved! (but it's still http://www.westgard.com )

Regular visitors to www.westgard.com will be surprised - perhaps pleasantly - with the new look and layout.

The Big Day is finally here. We're migrating the content over to the new website. It's a major task, particularly in writing all the links that will provide backward compatibility to the old website links. We're trying to build the website to support the "old" locations where everything was stored, along with a more efficient and friendlier set of links.

Full warning: there are going to be bumps along the way. Today is going to be particularly bumpy as we do the reassignments of links and locations. But we hope the destination is worth it.

You can read more about changes at the website here.

Do let us know what you think about the new look and layout.

Change is Coming - sooner

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

Earlier this year, we posted an article that was a "heads up" about coming changes to Westgard Web. We are moving everything over to a new server and new "Content Management System."

That time is getting closer and closer. We are beginning to finalize the changes and test the new website.

So, I want to give another warning of the changes...

You know that sensation that comes after cleaning your desk, room, or house, where everything has been put away in its proper place - and you no longer know where anything is at all? You might get that feeling in the new website.

We're adding a lot more navigational aids - "breadcrumb trails", category and section listings, related content listings, etc. It should make the website easier to use for all users. But for those who have grown used to the old website, there will probably be some temporary disorientation.

That said, we're looking for a few good users who would like to volunteer to test and review the new website. Send an email to the usual [email protected] to let me know if you're interested.

DNV Healthcare and Labs - a correction

By Sten Westgard, MS

In an earlier post about DNV Healthcare and Laboratory accreditation, I inadvertently implied that only CAP or COLA accreditation would be accepted by DNV. I should have been more precise in my listing of possible accreditation agencies for laboratories; that was a mistake on my part. I didn't intend to imply that only those two accreditations would be accepted by DNV. My apologies for my imprecise statement.

The important point is that DNV currently will not accredit labs. If you move to DNV Healthcare to accredit your hospital, you will need to have another agency accredit your laboratory.

Again, I am sorry to have given the wrong impression. Thanks to Margaret Peck of Joint Commission for alerting me to the problem. The original post has been corrected as well.

Sten