Management / Development Flashcards
What is the definition of sensitivity and what is the equation?
The ability of a test to correctly identify patients with the specified condition
TP/(TP+FN) * 100
What is the definition of specificity and what is the equation?
The ability of a test to correctly identify patients without the specified condition
TN/(TN+FP) * 100
What is the definition of the positive predictive value/precision and what is the equation?
The probability that patients with a positive result truly have the specified condition
TP/(TP+FP) * 100
What is the definition of the negative predictive value and what is the equation?
The probability that patients with a negative result truly does not have the specified condition
TN/(TN+FN) * 100
What is the definition of accuracy and what is the equation?
The ability of a test to differentiate between the specific condition/disease and a healthy individual
(TP + TN) / (TP + TN + FP + FN) * 100
What is the definition of a tests limit of detection?
The limit of detection is the estimated lowest level that can be reliably distinguished from absence.
What is the definition of the repeatability of a test?
The level of agreement between replicates in the exact same conditions (operator, reagents etc)
What is the definition of the reproducibility of a test?
Ability of a test to produce the same result under different conditions (operator, reagents etc)
What is the definition of the robustness of a test?
Assessment of the ability of a test to produce the same results when used outside is verified range (e.g. differences in temp, humidity etc)
What are the 15 considerations to be taken into account when deciding on whether to introduce a new test into the laboratory?
- Is there a clinical need for the test? - # of samples, disease incidence etc.
- Is there a clinical demand for the test? - who will order the test, where would referrals come from?
- Does the test have clinical utility? - would results affect treatment or health outcome, low penetrance, environmental effect?
- Is the test ethical/legal?
- Technical testing strategy - what type of test? what sample type? mutation types? Accuracy, reliability, sensitivity/specificity etc. Screen or diagnostic?
- Impact on current working practices - potential workload, staffing, set-up time
- Will the new test replace an existing test? - improve TAT? improve DxYx, how much DNA/cells needed? controls needed? externally or internally validated test? confirmation of results?
- Budget considerations - staffing, consumables, equipment, competitive pricing, need a business case? NCG funded test?
- Implications for staffing and training requirements
- Equipment/lab set-up - which techniques are best, new or existing equipment?
- Population factors
- Background work - disease information etc
- Validation work - including SOP writing, audits, enrol in EQA scheme
- Implement service - training other staff, ongoing improvements, authorise SOP, worksheets and information management, report templates, advertise service, gene dossier?
- Request user feedback once test established - user surveys
What training should be offered to minimise risk to staff?
Manual handling
COSHH assessments
Prevention of infection
Clinical risk/risks to service provision
Give some examples of risks in the lab
Sample mix-up Hazardous chemical usage Manual handling Incorrect information on report Streamlining services to cut budget / staff shortages Introduction of a new a technology Needlestick injury
What should be considered the most effective way to reduce risk?
Staff training
How can risk be managed?
Identify what can go wrong
Understand what causes things to go wrong
Learning lessons from adverse effects
Ensuring action is taken to precent recurrence
Put measures in place to reduce risk.
Define Risk
The potential that an action or inaction will result in an adverse outcome.