Quality Assurance and Quality Control of LFT Flashcards

1
Q

What is QA?

A
  • Compliance with local/national/international guidelines
  • Test Performance/Protocols
  • > Single Breath technique
  • > 2 technically acceptable measurements
  • Equipment Specification
  • Quality Control e.g. frequency/criteria
  • SOP’s/lab manuals -> up to date/evidence based/accessible
  • Staff Training/CPD/Qualifications
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does QA ensure?

A

All results generated are accurate and reliable over time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What components of QA?

A
  • Equipment
  • Environment
  • Education + Training
  • Diagnostic Testing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Quality Control?

A

How well the equipment reproduces the same result/measurement under various conditions over a period of time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Should equipment be used if it fails a QC?

A

No.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is QA/QC important?

A
  • High Quality and Accurate diagnostic test results

–> Test results impact on diagnosis and QoL

–> Responsibility usually lies with the lead physiologist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How can we record QC?

A

–> Lab Notebook/Computer Spreadsheet

  • -> Physical Calibration
  • Physiological/BioQC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Examples of Preventative Equipment Maintenance?

A
  • Performed on a schedule basis
  • Recorded in a logbook
  • Usually by a physiologist
  • Calibration procedures/Checking Spirometer/Check tubing for tears/Electrical safety
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Examples of Corrective Equipment Maintenance?

A
  • Unscheduled and unable to correct equipment failure
  • Company engineer/EBME
  • Service contacts
  • PPM
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Physical QC? What is this?

A

Calibration performed against independence standards.

–> Calibration syringe (of known volume)

Performed regularly (e.g. daily/sessional) or if a problem is encountered

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What sizes do calibration can come in?

A

(1-3L)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does a cal syringe do?

A

Injects a known volume of air through the spirometer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How often does a syringe need to be checked?

A

Annually for accuracy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Flow rates for Spiro VolCal?

A

2-12s^-1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How often is it performed?

A

Daily/Start of each session (Brompton)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where does it need to be stored?

A

Stored in same environment as measuring device (→ same temperature/humidity)

17
Q

What must be attached?

A

Bacterial/Viral filter

18
Q

What is an offset?

A

To adjust the input to a calibrated requirement
For example, if a volume (input) is 3.10 litres and the requirement is 3.00 litres, an offset of - 0.1 litres is required

19
Q

What is gain?

A

The ability of a circuit (or amplifier) to increase the power or amplitude of a signal from the input to the output by adding energy to the signal.

20
Q

Def Calibration?

A

Using a standard (e.g. calibration syringe) to generate and apply a gain to correct any measured deviation (offset)

21
Q

Def Verification?

A

The process of checking the calibration using a standard (e.g. calibration syringe) to check equipment is reading correctly

22
Q

What do we use normal volunteers for?

A
  • normal volunteers as physiological control
  • ideally non-smokers
  • many readings in order to calculate their own mean/SD/normal ranges
23
Q

Plethysmography Cal?

A

The box pressure (volume signal) and mouth pressure need to be calibrated prior to each session via a sinusoidal Calibration Pump

24
Q

Plethysmography Cal How?

A

Pumps in a volume of air causing pressure change (deflection).

25
Q

What does pumping of air do in box cal?

A
  • Simulates changes in inspiratory and expiratory volumes

- Similar to volume and frequency of “panting” manoeuvres

26
Q

What happens to the pressure transducer when air gets pumped in?

A

The pressure transducer is then adjusted to give a known signal for a known volume (e.g. ∆ box pressure → ∆ volume)

27
Q

What happens during box measurements (leak)?

A
  • the box is closed with an airtight seal, except for a small controlled leak
  • leak helps to stabilise internal pressure
  • Leak test performed to check there are not significant leaks
28
Q

What is the polytropic process?

A

The relationship between the pressure and volume during the compression or expansion of an ideal gas.

29
Q

What is the polytropic process equation?

A

PVn= K

30
Q

Isothermal process?

A

The change of a system in which the temperature stays constant.

31
Q

Inaccurate measuring equipment pathway?

A

Inaccurate measuring equipment leads to inaccurate test results leads to misdiagnosis and then poor patient outcomes.

32
Q

What is IQIPS

A

Lab Accreditation promotes improvement and gives assurance to commissioners and the public.