Autoverification of Clinical Laboratory Test Results

Automated verification, or autoverification, has emerged as a tool for laboratories whose goal is to streamline their laboratory processes while maintaining the highest quality standards.

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's (CLSI, Wayne, PA, USA) recently published "Autoverification of Clinical Laboratory Test Results; Approved Guideline (AUTO10-A)” provides a general framework that will allow each laboratory to easily design, implement, validate, and customize rules for autoverification based on the needs of its own patient population. Supporting sections are provided that deal with the different aspects of regulatory compliance and validation of algorithms that are essential to establishing and maintaining a modern autoverification system.

According to Dr. William Neeley, Detroit Medical Center, University Laboratories (Detroit, MI, USA), autoverification has many benefits for laboratories. "The AUTO10-A document gives the user the tools to develop algorithms or rules based on medical experience, which can be applied to each and every result. It is as if a highly competent director is personally reviewing every result that is coming out of the laboratory--but it is all done automatically.” He added, "With modern autoverification, rules are written into the software so the technologist does not have to memorize every idiosyncrasy. It enables one to practice medicine more easily and much more consistently.”

AUTO10-A is one of a series of eleven different CLSI-approved documents that address individual portions of an automated laboratory system. It is intended for those involved in point-of-care testing; hospital, reference, independent, and physician office laboratories; formation system vendors; data management vendors; and instrument manufacturers.

CLSI is a global, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to developing standards and guidelines for the healthcare and medical testing community. CSLI facilitates the creation of standards and guidelines that are reliable, practical, and achievable for an effective quality system.



Related Links:
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
Detroit Medical Center, University Laboratories