Ch 5 Quality Control and Record Keeping Flashcards
What does quality assurance refer to in veterinary practice?
Procedures established to ensure clinical testing compliance with accepted standards and proper documentation of processes and results
Includes adherence to protocols and guidelines to maintain testing integrity
What are the hallmarks of quality assurance?
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Reliability
These factors ensure the validity and trustworthiness of test results
Define accuracy in the context of quality assurance.
How closely results agree with the true quantitative value of a constituent
Critical for determining the validity of test results
Define precision in the context of quality assurance.
Magnitude of random errors and reproducibility of measurements
Indicates the consistency of test results across multiple trials
What does reliability refer to in quality assurance?
Ability of a method to be accurate and precise
Essential for ensuring consistent test performance
List factors affecting results in veterinary laboratory testing.
- Sample collection
- Fasting
- Electrical surges/drops
- Human error
- Maintenance and calibration of equipment
Each factor can significantly impact the accuracy of test results
What is the purpose of analyzing control materials?
Used for technician and instrument assessment and production of valid results
Controls must be run regularly to ensure ongoing accuracy
What should be documented when running control tests?
Results documented in a log or on a chart
Maintaining a log helps track performance over time
What types of concentrations should controls evaluate?
- Normal concentrations
- Abnormal concentrations
This evaluation is crucial as assay methods may vary in performance across different concentrations
Identify preanalytic variables that can lead to errors.
- Biologic errors (breed, age, gender)
- Collection errors (nonfasted animal)
These factors can inherently affect test outcomes
What are some nonbiologic preanalytic errors?
- Clerical errors (incorrect labeling)
- Sample collection and handling issues
Proper labeling is essential for accurate result tracking
What can analytic variables affect?
The procedure by which the analyte is measured by the instrument
Includes factors like equipment maintenance and reagent stability
What are postanalytical errors associated with?
Data entry and inaccurate record keeping
These errors can compromise the final results and their interpretation
What should an instrument maintenance log include?
- Instrument name
- Serial number
- Model number
- Purchase date
- Points to check
- Frequency of checks
- Record of test readings
- Changes made to restore accuracy
- Initials or name of person performing maintenance
This log is crucial for tracking instrument performance and maintenance history
What types of records are included in laboratory records?
- Internal records (assay results, SOPs, quality control data)
- External records (request forms, report forms)
Both types of records are essential for comprehensive record keeping
