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Sigma and Risk in the Quality Control Routine: Analysis in Chilean Clinical Laboratories

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The Six Sigma methodology is focused toward improvement, based on the Total Quality Management. It has been implemented in analytical procedures for clinical laboratories in the form of Sigma Metrics. This method is used in the evaluation of analytical procedures, providing evidence for risk-based management. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried using data from 18 Chilean clinical laboratories. The information of their performance and quality specifications used in their routine work was obtained from UNITY, an internal quality comparison program. RESULTS: A total of 3461 sigma evaluations was gathered, mostly from biyearly controls. The general distribution shows a median of 5.5 with positive asymmetry similar to other publications. The reported quality specifications are based in CLIA for 51.2% of the cases, 30.2% from biological variation, and 10.7% from other programs for the external quality evaluation. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between medians against their specification source. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied series, it would be feasible to implement a risk-based quality control system with simple rules and minimal control materials for 55.5% of the evaluated sigmas. 19.6% of the sigmas require improvement mainly in precision. The variety in specifications reveals a lack of harmonization in the specification's selections.