Call-In Information
• Web meeting address: https://www.webmeeting.att.com – Meeting number 8773361828– Access Code: 1666469
• Join the audio portion at: – 877-336-1828– Access code 1666469 (yes, they are the same)
(the audio will not be able to be streamed through the computer)
Michigan Regional Laboratory System
Laboratory In-service:Laboratory Director and Site
Coordinator Training
Jeffrey P. Massey, Dr.P.H., HCLD(ABB)Michigan Department of Community Health
Quality Manager517-335-8074
Agenda
• Laboratory Quality Commandments• Guidelines for review of QC documentation• Good Laboratory Practice & Laboratory
Documentation• Responsibilities
– Lab Director– Clinical Consultant– Site Coordinator
Laboratory Quality Commandments
Yes, they are carved in stone!
I.I. Thou shall not perform
any clinical test for which thou
are not trained and checked
for competency.
• . II. Thou shall not use any expired reagents or supplies to perform any clinical test, including quality control evaluations
III.III. Thou shall not perform any patient test for which any of the Quality Control checks have failed.
IV. Thou shall not perform any test in any manner except as specified in the written standard operating procedure or manufacturers product insert.
Laboratory Quality Commandments
• There are no exceptions!
Quality Assessmentanswers these questions
Does the procedure work the way it is supposed to work?
Does the data produced reflect a real condition in the client?
Quality Control:Quality Assessment Component
• Intended to detect, reduce, and correct errors prior to the release of patient results.
• QC measures of precision or how well the measurement system reproduces the same result over time and accuracy or if that measurement is what is really present in the patient.
Quality ControlIn practice, we have three parameters to evaluate:
1. The Instrument:• Does the instrument perform as expected*?
2. The Reagents:• Do the reagents perform as expected?
3. The Analyst:• Is the person performing the test correctly?
*within the parameters in the manufacturer’s insert as approved by the FDA
Quality Control: Equipment
• What equipment preventative maintenance is indicated by the manufacturer?
• Has the indicated maintenance been performed:– on schedule?– and documented?
Quality Control: Equipment
• Instrument Checks– Display shows what it is supposed to when
power is turned on.• Self check is ok?
– Instrument check device• Optics Cuvette• Calibration Cassette• Calibration strip, tag, stick
– Calibration checks are within expected range
Quality Control: Reagents
• Guidelines apply to Test reagents and QC materials!
• Determine closed vial (or other container) expiration date specified by manufacturer.– Specific date (March 13, 2011 = March 13, 2011)– End of the month (June 2011 = June 30, 2011)
• Determine open vial expiration date– 30, 60 or 90 days after opening– Open vial expiration date CANNOT exceed the
closed vial expiration date
Quality Control: Reagents
• Store according to manufacturer’s instructions– Protect from moisture and light– Bring to room temperature before opening
packet unless manufacturer says otherwise
• Open only what you need– Monitor/document room temperature if reagents
stored at room temp or test performed at room temp
Quality Control: Reagents
• If any of your reagents are expired, then you can not perform the test for clinical purposes.
• Options:– Find some reagents that are not expired– Use your backup plan, or – Cancel your clinic!
Quality ControlA Reagent Cardinal Rule
• NEVER, EVERNEVER, EVER use expired reagents to test clinical specimens.
• Expired reagents should be:– Discarded– Marked: Warning: EXPIRED. Use for
training only. Not for clinical use.
Quality Control: Reagents• QC material has an established value (or range of
values) for the analyte being measured by the test. • QC frequency minimally must follow those
established by the lab director for non-waived tests or is stated in the manufacture’s insert for waived tests.
• Record the results of QC materials at the time of testing.
• Do not proceed with patient testing if QC values are not acceptable
Quality Control ”The job is not done until the paperwork is
complete”
• Quality Control Log Sheets– The frequency or interval for QC testing depends upon
the test: check your procedure manual for appropriate intervals
– Document instrument control checks• Make sure the machine works before you proceed to test the
reagents.
– Document results at the time you obtain the result – don’t rely on your memory by filling in the result later
Quality Control Quality Control Log Sheets
• Document lot numbers and expiration dates (both open vial and closed vial expiration dates)
• Test both high and low level controls. (Positive and negative if pregnancy or urine dipstick).
Reporting Results:Positive
• Be consistent in how positive results are documented
• Positive– P– Pos– Positive
– Do not use the Symbol “+”
Reporting Results:Negative
• Be consistent in how negative results are documented:
• Negative– N– Neg– Negative
– Do not use the symbol “-”
Reporting Results:Quantitative
• Use 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+
• Do not use +, ++, +++, ++++
Quality Control Quality Control Log Sheets
• If the results for high and/or low controls were out of range, consult the Trouble Shooting Guide
• Record any corrective action(s) taken on the QC Log– Your surveyor will say, “If you didn’t record it
then I must assume that you didn’t do it”.
Quality ControlHave a back up plan!
• If your instrument or reagents fail the quality control checks; You may not You may not use that procedure for clinical use that procedure for clinical testing testing until;– Corrective action has been taken and – The instrument and reagent checks pass
all quality control checks.
• There are no exceptions to this ruleThere are no exceptions to this rule.
The Penalty for Reporting Results if there is a QC Failure ……
Quality Control
• QC Logs need to be reviewed:– By the Site Coordinator on a regular basis
(monthly or quarterly)– By the Laboratory Director on a regular basis
• May review a representative sample rather than all records
– Your assigned Technical Consultant will review if requested (Enhanced Services Option)
• Corrective action is required if problems are identified
• QC Records need to be filed for 2 years in a manner that allows ready retrieval.
Quality Control: Testing Personnel
• Qualifications– Moderately complex– PPM– Waived
• Training– Cover all phases of testing– Checklists helpful
• Documented Competency– Direct observation– Trouble shooting scenarios
Quarterly Chart AuditAn Important Quality Assessment activity
• Required for non-waived testing, recommended for waived testing
• Quarterly Chart Audit.– Verify that the QC Logs are completed for each test
performed• Lot # & expiration date, QC within acceptable limits,
corrective action initiated as required
– Randomly select 3-5 clients for each test. Verify that laboratory data is accurately transcribed to their chart; QC was performed and acceptable on the day of testing, testing personnel was trained and competent on the day of testing.
Quality Control
“Quality in never an accident. It is always the result of an intelligent effort. It is the will to produce a superior thing.”
John Ruskin
Good Laboratory Practice
• Quality Records & Documentation: Characteristics of a Good Record– Overall appearance– Permanence (pen not pencil)– Initials vs. Signature on record– Timing– Completeness– Appropriate error correction
Overall Appearance
• Include document control elements
• Keep forms simple
• Allow enough room for data entry
• Entries must be legible
Characteristics of a Good Record:Overall appearance/permanence
• Legibility is essential• Write in permanent
ink– No pencil– No White Out
Is this Jan or Jun? Is this 2000 or 2006?
Is this 1 or 7?
Quality RecordPermanence
• Always use:– Black or blue indelible ink
• DO NOT USE:– Markers, felt tip pens, gel pens, glitter
pens, pencil, liquid paper, White Out
Characteristics of a Good Record:Timing
Room Completed
(Place a √)
Initials Date Date
105 √ JPM 4/16/10 4/15/10
106 √ JPM 4/16/10 4/15/10
Date completed: April 15, 2010
WRONG CORRECT
By waiting to record tasks, you may forget to fill out the documentation. A later date causes speculation.If it is not documented – the task was not done.
Quality Records and Documentation: Completeness of Record
• Decimals
• Not applicable (N/A)
• Not in Use / Test Not Performed
• Expression of dates
• Arrows/ditto marks
• Initials vs. Signature
Completeness of RecordNot Applicable (N/A)
• When completing a form, indicate the spaces or blanks that do not require a response.
• Record “NA” in spaces or blanks that do not apply to the situation. Do not leave spaces blank
Completeness of RecordNot Applicable (N/A)
Room Completed
(Place a √)
Date Initials
105 √ 4/16/10 JPM
106
Blanks look as though operator forgot to complete the entry
Completeness of RecordNot Applicable (N/A)
Room Completed
(Place a √)
Date Initials
105 √ 4/16/10 JPM
106 N/A 4/16/10 JPM
Fill in any entry spaces that are not to be completed with “N/A”
Completeness of RecordNot in Use or Test Not Performed
• When an instrument is not used that day, enter “Not in Use” in the appropriate space. Include your initials and the date where needed.
• When a Test was not performed, enter “TNP” in the appropriate space, and include your initials and the date where needed.
Completeness of RecordsExpression of Dates
• All dates should be entered as month, day, year– Examples
• April 16, 2010• Apr 16, 2010• 4/16/10• 04/16/2010
• The year must be recorded on all forms
Correction of Erroneous Entries
• DO Not:– Use “White Out” (e.g., Liquid Paper)– Use erasors– Obliterate – Write over– Tape over
Appropriate Error Correction:Obliteration
• Do Not Obliterate an Entry
– What would a reviewer think?– Site Coordinator– Laboratory Director– Surveyor
Appropriate Error CorrectionWrite Over
• Do Not write over incorrect entries
• Again – what would a reviewer think??
Procedure for correcting erroneous entries
• 1. Incorrect Result
• 2. Draw a single line through incorrect entry
• 3. Write correct result next to incorrect entry
• 4. Initial and date the correction
Laboratory Director: Primary Responsibilities
(both Waived & Non-Waived Labs)
• Has ultimate responsibility for ALL testing
• Must ensure quality laboratory services
• Assign in writing the duties/responsibilities for each person involved in all phases of the testing process
Responsibilities of Lab Director:Waived Laboratory
• Ensure testing is performed EXACTLY as stated by the manufacturer (including QC)
• Ensure that laboratory staff follow good laboratory practice
• Permit announced or unannounced inspections
• Maintain current CLIA certification
Laboratory Director Responsibilities (for moderate complexity testing)
• Ensure safe working environment• Ensure tests chosen provide quality of
results required for client care• Ensure enrollment in PT program• Ensure Quality Control & Quality
Assessment programs are established & maintained
• Ensure corrective action is taken & documented
Laboratory Director Responsibilities (cont.)
• Ensure test results only reported when test is functioning properly
• Ensure reports of test results include information for interpretation
• Ensure consultation of test results
• Ensure the lab employs sufficient number of testing staff
Laboratory Director Responsibilities (cont.)
• Ensure testing staff are trained and competent
• Ensure procedure manual is available (review and sign on annual basis)
• Specify in writing the responsibilities of each consultant and testing staff
Responsibilities That CAN Be Delegated
• Selection of test menu
• Enrollment in PT program
• Maintenance of QC/QA program
• Corrective action program
• Training and Competency of staff
• Make procedure manual available to staff
Responsibilities that CAN be Delegated to Clinical Consultant
• Interpretation of test results
• Consultation available to clients concerning quality of test results
Responsibilities that CANNOT be delegated by Lab Director
• Ensure safe working environment
• Ensure proper size of testing staff
• Ensure overall quality of test results
• Ensure annual review and signature of test procedures
Questions?
Questions???
