Introduction to Quality Control (Online CE Course)

(based on 1,015 customer ratings)

Authors: Jean Houger Hengesbaugh, MS, CLS(NCA) and Brad Westover, BS
Reviewer: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM

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This course presents the basics of quality control in the clinical laboratory. Topics include assayed and unassayed controls, Levey-Jennings plots, Westgard rules, and standard deviation.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 4/30/2025
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - Supervision/Administration, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, and Safety: 1 hour(s)
Approved through 4/30/2025

Objectives

  • Explain the purpose of a quality control program.
  • Define assayed and unassayed controls and the advantages/disadvantages of each type.
  • Discuss various quality control tools.
  • Prepare a Levey-Jennings control chart.
  • Explain the Westgard QC multi-rule approach.
  • Define random and systematic errors and causes for each.
  • Define accuracy and precision and discuss the statistical tools that are used to monitor each.

Customer Ratings

(based on 1,015 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Introduction to Quality Control
      • Quality Control and a Quality Control Plan
      • Which of the following may be included in a quality control plan?
  • Quality Control Tools
      • Quality Control Tools
      • Intralaboratory (Internal) Quality Control
      • Assayed and Unassayed Controls
      • Internal Quality Control Program
      • Determining the Frequency for QC Testing
      • Additional Variables
      • Instrument Maintenance
      • Record Keeping
      • External Quality Assessment
      • Commercially available control materials for some laboratory instruments or method systems may be assayed or unassayed. Both will monitor the method s...
      • True or False: If a laboratory is part of a system, it can compare its proficiency testing (PT) results with other laboratories in the system prior to...
      • Delta Checks
  • Statistical Analysis of Control Data
  • Quality Control Charts
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended AudienceMedical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents. 
Author Information: Brad Westover, BS received his BS in Physics in 2006 from the California Institute of Technology. He is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California, San Diego.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab by Vastian. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.
Course Description: This course provides important fundamental concepts in quality control that are useful to laboratory personnel who report patient results. Topics include precision, accuracy, random and systematic errors, standard deviation, mean, coefficient of variation, quality control tools, and an overview of the Westgard multi-rule approach for evaluating QC results 

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 181 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
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