The application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the management of EQA schemes allows to increase the interaction between laboratories and EQA provider and consequently to obtain a more reliable statistical analysis in less time and then a better evaluation of the analytical performance. The Institute of Clinical Physiology of the Italian National Research Council (IFC-CNR) has been dealing with External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes in immunoassay since 1980. On the grounds of the experience acquired in the organisation of EQA schemes, the CNR has encouraged the establishment of the QualiMedLab spin-off company for the design and development of products and services for Quality Control in Laboratory Medicine. Actually QualiMedLab continues to avail of the know-how developed in the departments of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering/Medical Informatics of IFC-CNR, and manages about 20 EQA schemes (both specific, e.g. hormones, tumor markers etc., and standard) and provides them mainly in Italy, but also in Spain, UK, and Belgium. Control samples are sent by mail to laboratories that enlist for EQA schemes. On the web site http://eqas.ifc.cnr.it are reserved personal web pages in which each laboratory can insert directly its own results obtained assaying control samples. Through an internal web site, QualiMedLab staff can manage and treat laboratory data, examine anomalous results and perform statistical analysis. Each laboratory result is scored according to its deviation from target value (mean of all measurements made with the same laboratory method). Actually, in a few days, laboratories can download reports, containing the evaluation of their results and the main statistics in PDF format. Further statistical information can also be visualized through dynamic web pages. In 2004 only about 36% of laboratories enlisted with EQA schemes used web site to insert their results and to visualize statistical analysis; 64% of laboratories preferred to send their result by fax and to receive periodic report by mail. During the last six years, laboratories were encouraged in using Internet; in 2010 the percentage of Internet users has grown to about 84%. EQA schemes management using Information and Communication Technology is very useful for the spreading and growth of the quality control culture in laboratories. Laboratories can have a direct control of their own data and awareness of their analytical performance.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT SCHEMES IN LABORATORY MEDICINE
R Conte;A Pilo;MR Chiesa;A Mercuri;G Zucchelli
2010
Abstract
The application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the management of EQA schemes allows to increase the interaction between laboratories and EQA provider and consequently to obtain a more reliable statistical analysis in less time and then a better evaluation of the analytical performance. The Institute of Clinical Physiology of the Italian National Research Council (IFC-CNR) has been dealing with External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes in immunoassay since 1980. On the grounds of the experience acquired in the organisation of EQA schemes, the CNR has encouraged the establishment of the QualiMedLab spin-off company for the design and development of products and services for Quality Control in Laboratory Medicine. Actually QualiMedLab continues to avail of the know-how developed in the departments of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering/Medical Informatics of IFC-CNR, and manages about 20 EQA schemes (both specific, e.g. hormones, tumor markers etc., and standard) and provides them mainly in Italy, but also in Spain, UK, and Belgium. Control samples are sent by mail to laboratories that enlist for EQA schemes. On the web site http://eqas.ifc.cnr.it are reserved personal web pages in which each laboratory can insert directly its own results obtained assaying control samples. Through an internal web site, QualiMedLab staff can manage and treat laboratory data, examine anomalous results and perform statistical analysis. Each laboratory result is scored according to its deviation from target value (mean of all measurements made with the same laboratory method). Actually, in a few days, laboratories can download reports, containing the evaluation of their results and the main statistics in PDF format. Further statistical information can also be visualized through dynamic web pages. In 2004 only about 36% of laboratories enlisted with EQA schemes used web site to insert their results and to visualize statistical analysis; 64% of laboratories preferred to send their result by fax and to receive periodic report by mail. During the last six years, laboratories were encouraged in using Internet; in 2010 the percentage of Internet users has grown to about 84%. EQA schemes management using Information and Communication Technology is very useful for the spreading and growth of the quality control culture in laboratories. Laboratories can have a direct control of their own data and awareness of their analytical performance.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
