http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/clinpath/modules/chem/assay.

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Clinical Pathology Clinical Chemistry Basics-Analytical variables

ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/clinpath/modules/chem/assay.htm The goal of the clinical pathology laboratory is to provide accurate and precise results. Quality assurance is achieved by using clearly defined laboratory ...

Assay Performance
Controlling and minimizing factors which affect assay performance involves quality assurance. The goal of the clinical pathology laboratory is to provide accurate and precise results. Quality assurance is achieved by using clearly defined laboratory protocols and a quality control program. Quality control procedures in the clinical chemistry laboratory depend on measuring the concentration of analytes in control sera (with predetermined analyte values). Control values that fall outside predetermined (acceptable) limits usually indicate a procedural problem. In the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at Cornell University, controls are run daily on our chemistry analyzer. Analysis is not performed on patient samples unless the control values are within acceptable ranges. In addition, the laboratory participates in external quality control programs, in which unknown samples are analyzed and the results compared to those of other laboratories that use the same instrumentation. Major deviations of our laboratory's results from the mean indicates a procedural problem, that can be investigated and corrected.