Zoe's Blog
Risk Metrics provide a clearer picture than Sigma Metrics: Math Lesson # 1
Let’s start this series of math lessons with an AI history lesson on sigma in medical labs. The introduction of Sigma metrics to the medical laboratory was a pivotal shift from simply "checking for errors" to "designing for quality." It brought the industrial rigor...
Risk Management Lesson #6
Risk Management Lesson #6 The scientific comparison of EFLM Vision and RiskGATOR software Finally! The value of the laboratory can be recognized and quantified! Imagine if you could quantify, and reduce, the number of Medically Incorrect Results (MIRs) reported each...
Risk Management Lesson #5
Risk Management asks and answers FIVE critical questions. How would error in this test harm patient? What would it cost the patient and healthcare system for unnecessary repeat lab tests and perhaps more expensive, invasive and harmful for erroneously ‘high’ results –...
Risk Management Lesson #4
Risk Management is a science that transcends traditional quality control in medical laboratories. In this risk simulator that models the information in RiskGATOR™ software, the yellow boxes represent the questions answered by Risk Management; statistical QC...
Risk Management Lesson #3
Risk management is a paradigm shift from statistical quality control. Statistical quality control, Levey-Jennings charts and Westgard Rules are designed to detect CHANGES in analytical accuracy or precision. It’s up to lab staff, with little education or practice,...
Risk Management Lesson #2
Imagine a world where airline pilots learned to fly on live passenger flights! Unthinkable, right? Yet, in medical laboratories, we expect technologists to manage patient risk without the benefit of a "flight simulator" to practice and prepare for when things go...
Risk Management Lesson #1
Does a 4.5 Sigma score mean your lab is safe? Not necessarily. It’s a question every lab professional should be asking. For years, we've aimed for high sigma values, believing they were the ultimate benchmark for quality. But what if that's only half the story? The...
Beyond the 1970s: Does QC Really Keep Up?
This interesting discussion was sparked by a post arguing that the statistical QC of the 1970s just can't handle the complexities of today's modern lab, suggesting it's time for a major paradigm shift! (also on Linkedin) A great question came up from Sanford...
Lab instruments today look nothing like 1975.
Lab instruments today look nothing like 1975. So why is our Quality Control frighteningly similar? I should know. In 1975, as a Chief Technologist, my tools were a slide rule and hand-drawn QC charts. Ensuring result quality was my world, and the responsibility was...