Repeatability and reproducibility in med labs: a procedure to measurement system analysis

Abstract

Measured data variation is crucial in medical measurements as it may affect the diagnosis and hence the treatment. This study introduces a procedure for measurement assessment in medical laboratories. The authors employ different quality measures such as the signal-to-noise, discrimination and precision-to-tolerance ratios to evaluate a measurement system of different gages. The different quality criteria will be mapped into one quality diagram that informs about the adequacy of a measurement system. A gage repeatability and reproducibility study in conjunction with analysis of variance analysis are employed. The authors also introduce a health quality characteristic index (HQCI) as a standard indicator of health status according to a given health characteristic. The established procedure, diagrams and HQCI guidelines could remarkably chart the accuracy of measurements and the precision of the used gages on blood pressure data conducted in a clinic. The presented guidelines can be potentially valuable for the assessment measurement with minimal statistical knowledge.