What's New on Westgard Web: Feb/March 2011

Posted by Sten Westgard, MS

HBA1C QUALITY, 2011
How do methods stack up as standards tighten?

Dr. Westgard reviews the latest on HbA1c method performance. A recent
Clinical Chemistry article updated the status of hemoglobin A1c measurement
and goals for improvement. NGSP and CAP have been actively tightening
standards in an effort to improve method performance. Have methods improved
to keep up with the standards? How much? And are further improvements
needed, given the clinical use of  the test?

https://westgard.com/quality-hba1c-2011.htm


GLUCOSE METER QUALITY, 2011

When Diabetes Care publishes an article titled, Suboptimal Performance of
Blood Glucose Meters in an Antenatal Diabetes Clinic, you know the news
isn't good. But what's the extent of the bad news?

https://westgard.com/blood-glucose-meters-2011.htm


WHY SIX SIGMA RISK ANALYSIS?

Risk Management has been around for decades. Recently, it's been given a
black eye because of a very public failure (see the global financial
meltdown, 2008). Nevertheless, it's being promoted as a solution to problems
in the laboratory (see POC devices, EQC options, and emerging CLSI
standards) . So how do we balance the strengths and weaknesses of Risk
Management? By tapping the strength of another quality management technique:
Six Sigma.

https://westgard.com/six-sigma-risk-analysis.htm