Quality Management

Question 1

1. Why should internal quality control be performed?
   a. To be sure that the quality control material is of good
   quality
   b. To examine if the control material is commutable—
   behaves like patient samples
   c. To have a high probability that correct patient results
   are released
   d. To be able to pass the accreditation inspection
   e. To examine if my measurement procedure gives
   results similar to other laboratories

Answer 1

c. To have a high probability that correct patient results
are released

Question 2

2. How should I interpret results when an EQA/PT program
   uses noncommutable materials?
   a. When my result is within the performance specifications, I can be confident that I have no bias compared
   with a true value.
   b. When my result is outside the performance specifications, I have to recalibrate my measurement procedure.
   c. When my result is close to the target value for the peers
   in my measurement procedure group, I can be confident my laboratory is performing as well as my peers.
   d. I should compare my results with results from other
   measurement procedures to be confident my laboratory is not biased.
   e. I should compare my results with the average of all
   measurement procedure groups.

Answer 2

c. When my result is close to the target value for the peers
in my measurement procedure group, I can be confident my laboratory is performing as well as my peers.

Question 3

3. What is the advantage of using commutable EQA/PT
   materials?
   a. They are similar to patient samples and should therefore not be used for QC.
   b. They are suitable for internal quality control but not
   for EQA/PT.
   c. They should be avoided since they are contagious.
   d. Their results provide information on the accuracy for
   patient samples if the target value is set by a reference
   measurement procedure.
   e. Their results can be compared among different measurement procedures to assess harmonization.

Answer 3

d. Their results provide information on the accuracy for
patient samples if the target value is set by a reference
measurement procedure.

e. Their results can be compared among different measurement procedures to assess harmonization.

Question 4

4. When should EQA/PT be used?

a. To decide if patient results can be released
b. Should be performed every second day
c. To assess the performance of your measurement
procedure compared with other measurement procedures
d. Only when the provider uses commutable material
e. Is not necessary if you have documented traceability
of your measurement procedure

Answer 4

c. To assess the performance of your measurement
procedure compared with other measurement procedures

Question 5

5. How is the SD estimated for an internal QC material?

a. From measurements made during the target value assignment of a QC material
b. From the long-term SD that includes most types of
variability expected to influence the measurement
procedure
c. From the instructions for use provided by the measurement procedure manufacturer
d. From reports of interlaboratory summaries
e. From the range of acceptable results provided by the
QC material manufacturer

Answer 5

b. From the long-term SD that includes most types of
variability expected to influence the measurement
procedure