Quality Assurance and Quality Control of LFT Flashcards
What is QA?
- 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
What does QA ensure?
All results generated are accurate and reliable over time.
What components of QA?
- Equipment
- Environment
- Education + Training
- Diagnostic Testing
What is Quality Control?
How well the equipment reproduces the same result/measurement under various conditions over a period of time.
Should equipment be used if it fails a QC?
No.
Why is QA/QC important?
- High Quality and Accurate diagnostic test results
–> Test results impact on diagnosis and QoL
–> Responsibility usually lies with the lead physiologist
How can we record QC?
–> Lab Notebook/Computer Spreadsheet
- -> Physical Calibration
- Physiological/BioQC
Examples of Preventative Equipment Maintenance?
- Performed on a schedule basis
- Recorded in a logbook
- Usually by a physiologist
- Calibration procedures/Checking Spirometer/Check tubing for tears/Electrical safety
Examples of Corrective Equipment Maintenance?
- Unscheduled and unable to correct equipment failure
- Company engineer/EBME
- Service contacts
- PPM
Physical QC? What is this?
Calibration performed against independence standards.
–> Calibration syringe (of known volume)
Performed regularly (e.g. daily/sessional) or if a problem is encountered
What sizes do calibration can come in?
(1-3L)
What does a cal syringe do?
Injects a known volume of air through the spirometer.
How often does a syringe need to be checked?
Annually for accuracy.
Flow rates for Spiro VolCal?
2-12s^-1
How often is it performed?
Daily/Start of each session (Brompton)
Where does it need to be stored?
Stored in same environment as measuring device (→ same temperature/humidity)
What must be attached?
Bacterial/Viral filter
What is an offset?
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
What is gain?
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.
Def Calibration?
Using a standard (e.g. calibration syringe) to generate and apply a gain to correct any measured deviation (offset)
Def Verification?
The process of checking the calibration using a standard (e.g. calibration syringe) to check equipment is reading correctly
What do we use normal volunteers for?
- normal volunteers as physiological control
- ideally non-smokers
- many readings in order to calculate their own mean/SD/normal ranges
Plethysmography Cal?
The box pressure (volume signal) and mouth pressure need to be calibrated prior to each session via a sinusoidal Calibration Pump
Plethysmography Cal How?
Pumps in a volume of air causing pressure change (deflection).
