Assessment of the state-of-the-art trueness and precision of serum total-calcium and glucose measurements in Finnish laboratories - the QSL-Finland study

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation 1998, Vol.58 (3), p.229-240
• Main Author: S Linko, J J Himberg, L Thienpont, D Stöckl, A De Leenheer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; Calcium - analysis; Calcium - blood; Carbohydrates; Chemistry, Clinical - methods; Chemistry, Clinical - standards; Finland; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose 1-Dehydrogenase; Glucose Dehydrogenases; Hexokinase; Humans; Inorganic compounds; Male; Oses; Other biological molecules; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results
• ISSN: 0036-5513; 1502-7686
• DOI: 10.1080/00365519850186625

The purpose of the QSL-Finland study was to assess the state-of-the-art trueness and precision of serum total-calcium and glucose measurements in Finnish clinical laboratories. For this purpose, 21 hospitals and clinical institutes were selected. They measured six single donation sera, the total-calcium (t-calcium) and glucose content of which had been determined by ion chromatography and isotope dilution-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ID-GC-MS) reference methods. The results were interpreted in light of specifications for imprecision, bias and total error of routine methods that have been proposed in the past. The data revealed that the performance of t-calcium and glucose methods is generally acceptable in Finnish clinical laboratories. This study did not lead to a separation of laboratories according to accreditation. In consequence, it seems that accreditation, in its present form, cannot substitute dedicated quality assurance practices.