1. Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism: analysis of interlaboratory quality control
- Author
-
J. L. Dhondt, Pollitt Rj, and J.P. Farriaux
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pediatrics ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Control (management) ,Population ,medicine.disease ,Congenital hypothyroidism ,Elevated TSH ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Medicine ,Quality (business) ,Medical physics ,Control material ,Sampling (medicine) ,Overall performance ,business ,education ,media_common - Abstract
Procedures to control performance of all steps from sampling to follow-up of diagnosed patients are essential for evaluating the effectiveness of neonatal screening programmes. Since 1980, the French programme has conducted regular quality control surveys. Experience with the TSH scheme is analyzed to show various ways in which data may be presented to assist laboratories in explaining analytical deviations and in improving their overall performance. Each method of graphical presentation has its advantages and limitations; cumulative histories are beneficial. In the absence of reference calibrators and of standardisation of quality control material, the actual goal of a Quality Control programme is to position each laboratory with regards to a national consensus, in order: (i) To evaluate the ability of a laboratory to detect the positive case suspected to have the disease among the general population. (ii) To compare the analyte concentration found, which is important to clarify problems in the classification of patients with elevated TSH.
- Published
- 1993