Trends
Back in 2005, CLSI held a conference on "Quality Control for the Future." At that time, the future - specifically the future described by CLSI at the time - seemed like it was going to happen on an accelerated schedule. But that future has taken a long road to reach us, and there were some major breakdowns along the way.
There is a tradition at year end to review and commemorate the passing of notables. The New York Times Magazine has its "The Lives They Lived" issue at the end of every year. In this spirit, and with more than a bit of mordant humor, we offer this obituary.
Re-engineering, out-sourcing, down-sizing, outcomes focus -- all the management fads have come to the healthcare laboratory with a vengeance. Dr. Westgard (with a little help from Dilbert) sorts out which approaches are valid and which are dangerous.
Dr. Westgard recaps some of the most interesting discussions and announcements of the 2009 AACC/ASCLS/CSCLS meeting in Chicago.
Total Laboratory Automation and POC devices are two trends in current diagnostic equipment. Dr. Westgard reviews the history of quality control, from manual methodsin the 1950s, to the current state of the art of laboratory fourth generation instrumentation, to the quality control systems in future instruments. Learn how automation and computerization will impact the future quality control practices - what will be done for us, and what we still have to do for ourselves.