Ask most labs what hematology QC they use, and the honest answer is often “whatever came with the analyzer” or “whatever is cheapest” rather than an independent control designed to reduce biases in your QC protocol. The following addresses what an independent control verifies that a manufacturer control cannot, and how to close that gap.
01
What does a hematology control actually verify?
A hematology control verifies that the results coming from your analyzer are accurate. Failures may result from pre-analytical issues such as sample prep or instrument issues such as hardware or algorithm malfunction. QC empowers the user to detect shifts or drifts in results early, before they affect patient care.
02
Why shouldn’t a control that’s built using the same materials as the test serve as the primary QC?
Generally, QC made using the same material as the test is adequate, but it runs the risk of missing biases that could impact your results. An independent, third-party QC is the preferred approach because it can catch what a same-material control can’t.
03
What are the benefits of hematology QC with a longer shelf life?
A hematology control with a longer shelf life reduces the number of cross-over studies required with each lot change. Cross-over studies add cost and require laboratory resources to perform, so fewer of them means a smoother laboratory workflow.
04
What are some benefits of Streck controls?
Streck controls are developed to mimic human/patient samples so laboratories can trust their results. They maintain their performance over their extended shelf-life, ensuring accurate results and reducing the number of cross-over studies required. And because they’re made independent of the test material, they help reduce bias in your QC.
05
How often should hematology QC be run?
QC frequency should follow the regulatory guidelines that your laboratory follows and aligns with your laboratory’s standard operating procedures. Laboratories that have a high testing volume are recommended to run QC more frequently to detect potential issues before a high volume of results have already been reported.
06
Can the same control be used across multiple analyzer platforms?
Yes, but it depends on the control’s compatibility with the analyzer. Streck controls are designed to work on multiple platforms including Abbott®, Beckman Coulter®, Diesse, ERMA, Horiba®, HTI® Diagnostics, Mindray®, Nihon Kohden®, Siemens® and others. You can verify instrument compatibility using our product selector tool or evaluating the product’s assay sheet.
07
Why is benchmarking my laboratory’s performance with other labs important?
Benchmarking with peer groups is important to ensure your laboratory’s results are in-line with industry standards. It’s another layer of accuracy that ensures your instrument/method is performing to specifications. Streck offers a free interlaboratory program, STATS®, that provides easy-to-use, web-based tools to compare your laboratory’s performance against peers. Data from STATS can be used to support laboratory accreditation.
The right QC program comes down to choosing controls built for your analyzers, run on a schedule that fits your lab and benchmarked against your peers. Explore the STATS interlaboratory program to see how your lab compares.
