Volume 1 Issue 2 | 2024 | View PDF
Paper Id: IJMSM-V1I2P103
doi: 10.71141/30485037/V1I2P103

Quality Control using Westgard Rules in Blood Analyzer Diagnostics

Joseph Franklin Santhosh Kumar

Citation:
Joseph Franklin Santhosh Kumar, "Quality Control using Westgard Rules in Blood Analyzer Diagnostics" International Journal of Multidisciplinary on Science and Management, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 30-37, 2024.

Abstract:
In clinical chemistry laboratories, accurate and reliable testing is critical for diagnosing and managing disease. Blood analyzers, which automate the testing of various biochemical parameters, rely heavily on robust quality control (QC) measures to ensure data integrity. Westgard Rules, a statistical approach formulated by James Westgard, are widely employed to assess whether an analytical run is within control limits. These rules are applied to quality control data plotted on Levey-Jennings charts and are instrumental in distinguishing between random and systematic errors. The selection and application of these rules, whether single or multi-rule sets, significantly impact error detection and false rejection rates. This paper explores the importance of Westgard Rules in maintaining analytical precision, elaborates on each rule, and discusses their practical application across various testing environments. Additionally, the paper highlights how minimizing false rejections and maximizing error detection contributes to both operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in clinical laboratories.

Keywords: Clinical Chemistry, Blood Analyzers, Quality Control (QC), Westgard Rules, Levey-Jennings Chart, Systematic Error, Random Error, Error Detection (Ped).

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