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Management of Internal Quality Control (IQC) data in a clinical biochemistry laboratory using spreadsheet software


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Category
Articles
Publisher
K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre,
Publishing Date
01-Apr-2015
volume
2
Issue
1
Pages
31-39

Background: In a clinical biochemistry laboratory the large quantity of numerical data generated due to implementation of an Internal Quality Control (IQC) protocol needs to be managed effectively to monitor the quality of the analytical phase of testing. Such data management procedure needs to be simple and cost effective to facilitate the implementation of the IQC protocol. Aims and objectives: The objective of this study was to develop a simple and cost effective procedure for management of IQC data in a clinical biochemistry laboratory. Materials and Methods: A method of organizing IQC data into files and folders was defined. The popular spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel (version 2007), was used to design a proforma comprising tabular and graphical components to handle IQC data. This proforma was used to record values of control sera (run as a part of IQC protocol), convert them into z scores and represent them on a Levy-Jennings (LJ) chart for ease of interpretation. Other methods of IQC data management were reviewed and a comparison was drawn between all methods regarding their advantages and limitations. Results and conclusion: IQC data could be effectively managed using the Microsoft Excel software due to its ability perform calculations and represent data graphically. A review of various methods of managing IQC data revealed that this method described by the authors was most suitable for laboratories using multiple instruments, multiple levels of controls and not wanting to procure expensive tailor-made software from commercial vendors..