Abstract
IntroductionMoving average (MA) means calculating the average value from a set of patient results and further using that value for analytical quality control purposes. The aim of this study was to examine whether the selection, optimization and validation of MA procedures can be performed using the already described bias detection simulation method and whether it is possible to select appropriate MA procedures for a laboratory with a small daily testing volume.Materials and methodsThe study was done on four analytes: creatinine, potassium, sodium and albumin. All patient results of these tests processed during six months were taken from the laboratory information system. Using the MA Generator software, different MA procedures were analysed. Different inclusion criteria, calculation formulas, batch sizes and weighting factors were tested. Selection of optimal MA procedures was based on their ability to detect simulated biases of different sizes. After optimization, the validation of MA procedures was done. The results were presented by bias detection curves and MA validation charts.ResultsSimple MA procedures for albumin and sodium without truncation limits were selected as optimal. Exponentially weighted MA procedures were found optimal for creatinine and potassium, with the upper truncation limits of 150 μmol/L and 6 mmol/L, respectively.ConclusionsIt has been experimentally confirmed that it is possible to perform the selection, optimization and validation of MA procedures using the bias detection simulation method. Also, it is possible to define MA procedures optimal for a laboratory with a small daily testing volume.
Highlights
Moving average (MA) means calculating the average value from a set of patient results and further using that value for analytical quality control purposes
Weighted MA procedures were found optimal for creatinine and potassium, with the upper truncation limits of 150 μmol/L and 6 mmol/L, respectively
In order to prevent releasing erroneous patient results if an error occurs between two control measurements, there is a need for developing quality control plans based on risk management (3)
Summary
Moving average (MA) means calculating the average value from a set of patient results and further using that value for analytical quality control purposes. Analytical quality control is one of the key tasks facing biochemists in a medical laboratory For this purpose, internal quality control materials are analysed in certain time intervals and laboratories participate in external quality control programs (1,2). In order to prevent releasing erroneous patient results if an error occurs between two control measurements, there is a need for developing quality control plans based on risk management (3). In this light, the use of patient samples for the purpose of continuous quality control can be considered through calculating the moving average (4).
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