WHAT'S NEW?WHAT'S NEW?
We're proud to announce the publication of the third edition of this essential laboratory reference. This concise guide to method validation has been revised, updated, and expanded. We've added new chapters covering ISO 15189, CLSI's EP15 guideline, Sigma-metrics, and more.
See all the updates, additions, and download excerpts at
http://www.westgard.com/basicmvbook.htm
[Take advantage of a special: order online with coupon code "MV3ED15" and save $15]
NEW ONLINE TRAINING: Basic Method Validation
We have revised, updated, and expanded the online training for method validation as well. Two new online training options are available now:
Short course: "Secrets of Method Validation"
This short, streaming video presentation introduces the core concepts and studies of method validation
http://www.westgard.org/index.pl?op=show;isa=Course;iid=15149
Full course: Basic Method Validation
A comprehensive coverage of all the studies discussed in the book, plus additional discussion we couldn't put into the book. It also includes the "Secrets of Method Validation" video presentation.
http://www.westgard.org/index.pl?op=show;isa=Program;iid=12678
When Quality depends on the Company you Keep
A recent report from the CDC identified a number of issues with current proficiency testing. Among those problems, the group standard deviation type of quality requirement. What is it? Why is it a problem? What can be done about it?
Sigma metrics analysis: A POC chemistry instrument
When a new POC instrument reports it has great precision, is that all you need to know about performance?
Westgard QC in Washington, DC - Come See! Booth 1445
Westgard QC will be exhibiting at booth 1445 at the Clinical Laboratory Exposition in Washington, DC at the AACC/ASCLS convention. We'll have our annual raffle in "Westgard Wear", and will demonstrate our EZ Rules(r) 3 software, new courses, and new tools. And you can take a look at the new book.
We want to thank everyone who attended - as well as the distinguished faculty who provided the team of speakers - for coming to QC 2008. It was an intriguing update on regulations, guidelines and checklists - and an eye-opening glimpse at emerging guidelines and standards-in-the-making.
Above: Dr. Curt Parvin, Dr. Teresa Darcy, Dr. Jan Krouwer, and Dr. Westgard take questions from the audience.
It's not a Westgard Workshop without a visit to the University of Wisconsin Union Terrace, where many local brews can be sampled. And, you know, after a beer or two, Westgard and all this QC stuff makes more sense...
Above: Dr. Curt Parvin (center) and Dr. Jan Krouwer (right) provided some of the most thought-provoking lectures and discussions.
Our sincere thanks once again to those who were able to attend the workshops. It was an educational experience for us as well as you.
For those who weren't able to attend, stay tuned. More workshops are on the way...
Early Registration ends April 30th for Quality Control 2008,
Final Rules, Emerging Guidelines, Evolving Practices
Learn the latest on regulations. Get a peek at emerging guidelines.Understand new concepts like Risk Information, Risk Mitigation, and Alternate QC possibilities.
Seats are filling fast.
http://www.westgard.com/workshops.html
Listen to Dr. Westgard introduce the distinguished guests who will speak at the workshop
Interview: CAP on ISO 15189:2007
In March, CAP announced that it will be offering ISO 15189:2007 certification as a new option. Westgard asks the CAP ISO staff, what does ISO mean for US (and other) laboratories?
Sigma metrics analysis: Roche cobas 6000 and GHb
This month we take a Roche cobas 6000, apply the different analytical quality requirements for Glycated hemoglobni (GHb) and evaluate its performance. What requirements should you pick? What rules should you use?
New Westgard Workshop: Quality Control 2008,
Final Rules, Emerging Guidelines, Evolving Practices
The next Westgard Workshops will be held June 2nd & 3rd in Madison, Wisconsin. A panel of experts will review the latest regulatory changes, introduce the emerging CLSI guidelines on Risk Information, Risk Mitigation, and Alternate QC possibilities, and discuss how to formulate a rational Analytical Quality Control system in today's laboratory. Seats are limited, sign up now!
We've updated and upgraded our online store. We are now using an online store built with Yahoo! and Paypal technologies, trusted Internet brands that we hope will give you more convenience and greater confidence in placing an order online with us. This store will still take the usual major credit cards, but will also allow you to pay using Paypal. See the thumbnail below to get an idea of what the store looks like, then Come check it out - at www.westgardqc.com - and let us know what you think.
A new online store can be confusing - and you may be suspicious about whether it's genuine or some scam - but this is really the new online store of Westgard QC. Call us at 608-833-4718 or email us at westgard@westgard.com if you want more assurance and confirmation.
New Update: Fifth edition of the Ricos et al. Biologic Variation Database
Dr. Carmen Ricos and her colleagues have graciously provided us with the fifth edition of their biological variation database. New data, new analytes, and new desirable specifications - a most valuable contribution to the field.
See the update highlights
See the References
See the Reference List
See the Desirable Specifications for Imprecision, Inaccuracy, and TEa
The Skinny on QC - Are Quality Requirements "Lean"?
In light of the publication of the fifth edition of the Ricos et al biologic variation database, it's worth contemplating one question: what's the quality of quality requirements? In the parlance of the latest management trend, are quality requirements "Lean"?
What we can learn from World Class Methods
Over the past few months, Westgard Web has performed several Sigma analyses of Abbott ARCHITECT methods, all with superior results. We decided to go straight to the source and ask them what they're doing that produces this level of quality. Turns out, they're just doing all the things that we should be doing in the laboratory.
Clinical Chemistry Citation Classics: Westgard and Hunt "Use and Interpretation of Common Statistical Tests in Method Comparison Studies"
In the latest issue (March 2008) of Clinical Chemistry, Dr. Westgard tells the story of the seminal 1973 paper which built the foundation for method valiation practices in the laboratory.
http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/reprint/54/3/612 (subscription required)
The Quality of Glycated Hemoglobin Testing (GHb)
Part Four of Dr. Westgard's series on the "War of Words in the Laboratory" shows the impact of lax standards in one of the most important tests in the laboratory. Guidelines for GHb have been issued in 2002 and 2007. But are they on target? Is there any evidence in these evidence-based medicine guidelines?
Evaluating GHb Quality Requirements
Various expert groups have suggested different quality requirements for Glycated Hemoglobin. But what's happening on actual instruments? Taking an Abbott Architect c8000, we apply the different analytical quality requirements and evaluate its performance - and the suitability of the quality requirements.
Westgard Sigma analysis: 5 POC whole blood glucose methods
Scientists at the Mayo Clinic performed an interesting study of multiple POC glucose methods to evaluate their performance.We apply Westgard Sigma analysis to this data. Do you think world class performance is possible at the point of care?
Is 2008 the year of EQC, AQC, or no QC at all?
A recent audioconference explained how EQC, despite its dubious scientific validity, is no longer educational, but policy. The audioconference brought up the possibility once more that the FDA will provide a QC clearance option for manufacturers. (Hint: Don't get your hopes up...)
Dr. Westgard on EQC - as quoted in Clinical Lab News
Clinical Laboratory News reports on the latest changes, twists and turns of the regulatory environment. The staunch proponents and entrenched defenders of ("We blew it") EQC are also interviewed.
http://www.aacc.org/AACC/publications/cln/2008/feb/cover2_0208.htm
Westgard Workshops 2007
The highlight of our year is this 2-day conference on new and better laboratory practices.
A free audio highlight (mp3 file) of one of the Q&A sessions is at
Equivocal QC: Coming to a Laboratory near you
Despite the universal complaints,
Despite the CMS admission that "We blew it",
Despite a complete lack of scientific validity,
"EQC" options are coming to a laboratory near you.
See how it's going to happen.
Guest Essay: Patient Safety and the Frequency of QC
We're delighted to present this guest essay from Dr. Kent Dooley, an astute reader who has done serious thinking about what patient safety implies for quality control. If labs are serious about patient safety, should they be reducing how often they run controls?
Sigma Metric Analysis: Abbott Architect c16000
Our first look at Abbott's newest, biggest chemistry instrument showed some interesting Sigma performance. So we decided to take a second look, using AACC conference poster data. Does an on-site evaluation corroborate the manufacturer's evaluation?
A War of Words, Part II: Concepts and Terminology in a Changing, Uncertain World
Trueness. Uncertainty. Accuracy. Precision. Why are there so many definitions for the same terms? Dr. Westgard traces the history of metric concepts in the clinical laboratory. See when and where ISO, IFCC, and CLSI began introducing new terminology into the lab.
A War of Words, Part III: Intended Applications and Customers
Looking beyond the terminology of Trueness and Uncertainty, Dr. Westgard examines the intended uses and customers of these terms. If we spend our time fighting about Metrological definitions, are we serving the patient?
"But is it really out?"
We may want to do the Right QC Right, but often our adjustments of QC Theory to fit our 'real world' laboratory end up making us do the Wrong QC Wrong. This essay discusses why and where there are the differences between the theory of QC and the practice of QC.
Ten Ways to do the Wrong QC Wrong.
Taking ten user-submitted real world scenarios, (names withheld to protect identity) we analyze where the good intentions of a laboratory break down in their QC practices.
Errors In, Before, and Behind the Laboratory
Several recent studies assert they have calculated the rate of error in laboratories, pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical. But what those numbers mean depends on what's being counted and who's doing the counting.
Sigma Metric Analysis: Bayer ADVIA 1800
The 2007 AACC conference presented poster data on performance of Bayer's new chemistry instrument. We crunch the numbers and review the metrics:
A War of Words in Laboratory Terminology?
Total Error. Trueness. Uncertainty. Can these terms coexist? Under ISO, will defining an allowable error for a test become unacceptable? Will the embrace of ISO accreditation mandate the rejection of all non-ISO-conforming terminology and concepts?
The debate - and the future - is uncertain.
Westgard QC at the AACC/ASCLS conference (Booth 1641)
If you attended the AACC/ASCLS convention in San Diego, thank you for dropping by.
Westgard Workshops 2007: November 5th and 6th, Madison, Wisconsin
November 5th and 6th, in Madison, Wisconsin, Dr. Westgard and colleagues will present "Assuring the Right Quality Right: Best Laboratory Practices 2007."
http://www.westgard.com/workshops.html
New Book: Assuring the Right Quality Right
Get the first look at the new book on quality by Dr. Westgard. See the table of contents, download a free chapter, even order this valuable book.
http://www.westgard.com/rightquality.html
CLSI faces the Challenge of Quality
Dr. Westgard attended the recent CLSI workshop to learn about forthcoming standards on risk assessment, quality, and (E?)QC. It seems the rumors of the death of Options 1, 2, and 3 may have been exaggerated...
http://www.westgard.com/essay112.htm
The Meaning and Application of Total Error
While the scientific community has grown comfortable with the once-revolutionary concept of "total error", novices and newcomers are often puzzled by the term. Dr. Westgard answers a few "back to basics" questions about total error and its role in laboratory testing.
http://www.westgard.com/essay111.htm
Spotting Quality Internationally: The Antwerp Meetings
This year's "Quality in the Spotlight" conference tackled the subject of auditing and inspections.
Dr. Westgard reviews some of the highlights.
http://www.westgard.com/essay110.htm
QC Application in Hematology: Beckman Coulter HMX
A frequent visitor to Westgard Web, Mary McDermott, MT(ASCP), recently shared some instrument data from her laboratory. Are we beginning to see evidence that hematology instruments out-perform chemistry instruments?
http://www.westgard.com/qcapp40.htm
Can you help us find the Truth about Quality?
For years, Westgard Web has tried to tell the truth about laboratory quality. Now, we're asking YOU to tell the truth. We invite you to participate in this ground-breaking survey of trends and practices in the laboratory.
http://survey.labopinions.com/?src=westgard.com
In 2007, Method Validation is still vital
A recent "false epidemic" makes it clear that rigorous statistical skills are not optional in the new era of instrument diagnostics.
Instrument Claims: Should they be Statistically or Clinically Significant?
This year will see the launch of a fleet of new regulations and standards for the laboratory and the manufacturer. But is it really enough to verify that an instrument does what the manufacturer says it does? Don't we need to assure that the instrument does something clinically useful, too?
Truth, Trueness, and Truthiness
We need some truthful guidance about Trueness, Uncertainty and Quality. This year's regulations feature new terminology that adheres to ISO conventions. As we leave behind our familiar concepts of precision, bias, and total error, are we gaining anything? Are we just changing names, or are we changing our goals, too?
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Clinical Chemists
Dr. Westgard was one of twenty-one clinical chemists honored for their contributions to laboratory medicine and healthcare in the February 2007 issue of Clinical Lab News.
http://www.aacc.org/NR/rdonlyres/1D0C4878-87FC-4642-80A0-5B23A21E2667/0/sevenHabits.pdf
Global and Local Imperatives for Better Healthcare
After traveling to five continents in 2006, Dr. Westgard gained a new perspective on US healthcare. As our healthcare system fails, the world is watching.
Audio Download - An Introduction to Quality
This audio clip is an excerpt from one of Dr. Westgard's talks on his trip to South Africa.
[warning: a 9 MB file]
Good Laboratory Practices for QC, Part II
Some practical advice on the proper set up, implementation and use of QC, as well as a discussion of the "standard deviations" from Good Laboratory Practice.
"Westgard Rules" at 25 - an audio download
By some accounts, the "Westgard Rules" are now 25 years old. In celebration of this anniversary, the webmaster interviewed Dr. Westgard by phone about the past, present, and future of multirules and QC.
http://www.westgard.com/downloads/TheWestgardRules.mp3
[Please note this is a very large file - 13.5 MB. Our apologies also for the quality of the recording - Dr. Westgard was on his way to South Africa at the time.]
"Westgard Rules" Worksheets - some "new" downloads
If the rules are 25 years old, why are we offering "new" worksheets? Well, it came to our attention that the current worksheet graphically describes the "classic" multirules, but no similar worksheets exist for other recommended multirule combinations. Now we've remedied that - in one download, you can see the "classic" rules, as well as modern recommendations for instruments with 2 controls and 3 controls per run.
Links to South Africa
Dr. Westgard reached his fifth continent this year in a tour of South Africa. See what he has to say about this visit and the topic: "QC and Life in the Lab"
Why We Write - Westgard at 100 (essays, not years)
After ten years of Westgard Web and more than 100 essays written, Dr. Westgard reflects on the reasons for writing for the Laboratory Professional audience on the Internet.
Holiday Greetings
No matter what God you worship, no matter what country you call home, the staff of Westgard QC would like to wish you, Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.
Good Laboratory Practices for QC, Part I
CLSI, formerly known as NCCLS, has issued new standards on Laboratory QC. If you're looking for "Good Laboratory Practices" for your QC, check out C23-A3. Dr. Westgard explains the new standard and how it can lead you to better laboratory quality.
Sigma metrics in Hematology: Sysmex 9500
Are things better or worse in hematology than in chemistry? Data from a recent AACC conference poster reveals more good news...
EZ Rules 3 - New Demo Download
A new free demo is available - demonstrating the single view interface for QC Design. Control every aspect of the design process from one screen. Demos for Biologic Goals, Clinical decision intervals, CLIA goals and Patient Data QC are also available.
Links to Spain. Free Translated download.
Dr. Westgard recently attended the Spanish society of Clinical Chemistry and Chemical Pathology in Bilbao, Spain.Dr. Carmen Ricos was gracious enough to translate Dr. Westgard's Powerpoint presentation into Spanish.You can download that presentation for free.
Links to Argentina.
Dr. Westgard recently attended the CALIDAB conference in Argentina. He describes the highlights here.
Retirement Thanks
Back in September, Dr. Westgard's official retirement party was held. Not only did Dr. Westgard share the stage with the also-retiring Dr. Ron Laessig, he was surprised by the attendance of many of the the "Wisconsin Mafia," who showed up to roast and celebrate these colleagues.
GAO Report Recommendations: The Good, The Bad, and The Irrelevant
As a result of the GAO investigation, there are 13 recommendations being made in their report. We've analyzed each point to determine if they're useful, bizarre, or just beside the point.
GAO Report: The Agencies Respond
The final GAO report contained not only recommendations, but preliminary responses of those affected. See what CMS, CAP, JCAHO, and COLA had to say to the GAO when they saw the first draft of the report.
Rumors of my Retirement are somewhat exaggerated
There were stories going around at the AACC/ASCLS convention that Dr. Westgard was retiring. Some of them were true. Just what is Dr. Westgard retiring from?
Sigma metric analysis: A Roche Modular system
A recent workshop participant sent over the performance data for their Roche Modular system. There was some good news hidden in those numbers.
The AACC/ASCLS conference: An informal report
We want to thank the hundreds of people who came to visit us at the conference in Chicago. Here are a few comments and observations from our time there
Thanks for Visiting: http://james.westgard.com/?p=14
30 Years of Method Validation workshops: http://james.westgard.com/?p=16
Labs are Vital: http://james.westgard.com/?p=17
Remember, you can post comments at Westgard Blog http://james.westgard.com
GAO Report on CMS is out
Remember Maryland General? Part of the outcome was a Congressional request for a GAO (Government Accountability Office) investigation of CMS and its related agencies. Well, the report is finally out. And it's not kind. Get a first glimpse of the report here.
Booth 735!
We invite you to drop by the Westgard QC booth at the 2006 AACC Laboratory Exposition, July 25-27 in Chicago, Illinois. We'll raffle off "Westgard Wear" as well as several new products. If you'd like a hands-on demonstration of EZ Rules 3, want to browse the new Six Sigma book, or just talk QC with us, booth 735 is the place to be.
Update on QC Design Tools
There are a variety of tools and programs available to those who want to implement Sigma metrics and QC Design in their laboratory. Some are free, some are not, and some new tools are coming soon...
A Multichemistry Instrument Analysis: Comparison, 16 years later
The unspoken assumption in laboratories and diagnostics is that we're getting better all the time. Our new systems are better than our old ones. But does the data show this? Just looking at a Westgard et al. paper from 1990 and a collection of recent instrument performance data provides a challenge to this thinking.
The Westgard Workshop: An Informal Report
The Westgard Workshops were held in early June. Using the blog, we posted a series of informal reports, observations, and anecdotes:
The week after: http://james.westgard.com/?p=5
What was Unsaid: http://james.westgard.com/?p=6
What's actually being done about QC: http://james.westgard.com/?p=8
Are we indicating ourselves to death? http://james.westgard.com/?p=9
Remember, you can also post comments at Westgard Blog http://james.westgard.com
Back in 2001, when the first edition of our Six Sigma manual was published, the ideas about Six Sigma were just entering healthcare. What a difference five years makes! Now Six Sigma is one of the well-accepted stars in the constellation of healthcare management techniques. There are regular conferences, organizations, and awards for Six Sigma in healthcare. In other words, it's become part of the "consulting and management industrial complex" in our service sector.
And yet, even in hospitals and organizations that have implemented Six Sigma (or other advanced management schemes) still do not know what to do about their QC. There are cutting-edge, "zero defect" hospitals that still have 1950's-era laboratory procedures. Because most of the black belts in healthcare come from outside the laboratory, and they have no idea how to apply Six Sigma techniques to the core processes of the laboratory.
Six Sigma QC Design and Control, Second Edition is revised, updated, and expanded. We've added new examples of Six Sigma in the real world. We added new explanations of the "competing" management trends like Patient Safety, Lean, ISO, and Risk Management - so you can understand how these management techniques interact and sometimes conflict with each other. There's new material on the Sigma metrics from the proficiency testing program data from thousands of laboratories in the US.
All this and more.
EZ Rules 3 - New Download
A New EZ Rules 3 download is now available - demonstrating the use of Patient Data QC. Other demos for a Biologic Goal, a Clinical decision interval and a CLIA goal are still available.
See the features, screens and more at the EZ Rules 3 homepage
Quality Requirements: Australasian Edition
Quality Goals "down under"! If the CLIA requirements aren't enough for you, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Australasian Clincal Biochemist association have a more extensive set of analytical quality requirements in their Quality Assurance Program. It's an interesting opportunity to see where CLIA and another standards group agree or disagree.
Westgard: The Blog
We're going to experiment with one of those new Internet technologies - the Blog. A Blog (short for "web log") provides a forum not only for the writer, but also the reader. Readers of a blog can make comments and provide criticisms or additional arguments. In this case, we're going to present the traditional essays ("A Word from Westgard") as blog entries. This will give you, the readers, a chance to comment directly on the essays if you wish. [Please note: we will use a moderated format, to ensure that no "spam" is posted on the blog.]
For those who prefer the traditional presentation of the essays, we'll have them that way as well. In a few months, we'll decide whether or not to switch over to blog exclusively, stick with the traditional presentation, or do both formats indefinitely. Please let us know what you think.
What is the Core Competency of a Laboratory?
Some gas stations around the country ran out of gas this month. Would you go to a gas station that had no gas? Probably not. Now, would you use a laboratory that had no quality in their testing? Even a laboratory that was really fast and lean, risk managed, and ISO certified?
http://www.westgard.com/essay93.htm
And for those of you who would like to comment on this essay, check out the blog!
An Open Letter on Risk Management and "EQC"
Numerous CLSI committees are formulating the standards for QC for the Future right now. In light of recent evidence that analytical quality is not as good as most assumed, this is an open appeal to those decision-makers and deciders all across the country to remember that statistical QC is a critical tool for the laboratory.
http://www.westgard.com/essay92.htm
And for those of you who would like to comment on this letter, check out our new blog!
Trouble with Tracking Test Results
The New York City Board of Health and Mental Hygiene has amended the city’s Health Code to require laboratories to report all hemoglobin Alc test results in order to monitor diabetic patients. Will monitoring approximately 100,000 results each month improve quality for anyone?
Benchmarking tests with a Quality Goal Index
Dr. David Parry of St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg, provides us with data on Sigma metrics in two laboratories. Dr. Parry's innovation is the Quality Goal Index, a metric that can distinguish between precision and accuracy problems, as well as techniques to deal with calibrator lot changes.
From Method Validation to Six Sigma: DxC 800
Drawing on data from a paper at the 2005 AACC conference, we convert method validation statistics and calculate Sigma metrics. Then we compare the new instrument with Sigma metrics from other instruments. Is the DxC 800 better than what's already out there?
Are "Westgard Rules" efficient and cost effective?
David Plaut, the extremely popular speaker and longtime friend of Dr. Westgard, recently collaborated on a multisite evaluation of the implementation of "Westgard Rules" in the laboratory. The poster, originally at the 2005 AACC conference, is now available in an expanded format online. And we thank David for it.
Hopeful Healthcare in a Fearful Society
What's the State of Healthcare in the US? Can HSAs, restrictions on liability, P4P, and CPOE save us? An essay that strays outside the laboratory.
Unannounced Inspections, Unknown Consequences, Unlikely to improve quality
Surprise inspections are now the law of the land. But will unannounced visits improve quality, or simply raise anxiety?
The War on Error: Complete Victory, or a Long, Hard Slog?
As part of our continuing series on Patient Safety concepts, we explore the nature of Error, its varieties and occurrences in the lab, and consider the proposed changes in QC through the perspective of Swiss cheese. No, really. We're not kidding. Swiss cheese.
Patient Data or Traditional QC? How to compare?
Making use of data presented at the 2005 AACC conference, we demonstrate a QC application comparing the virtue of traditional QC and Patient Data QC designs. Is it best to base your QC design on data from one level of control, a 2nd level of control, or switch over to patient data?
Biologic Variation Database: 2006 update
Dr. Carmen Ricos and her colleagues have graciously provided us with the 2006 update to their biological variation database. New data, new analytes, and new desirable specifications - a most valuable contribution to the field.
Update highlights: http://www.westgard.com/guest32.htm
References: http://www.westgard.com/biodatabase3.htm
Reference List: http://www.westgard.com/biodatabase2.htm
Desirable Specifications for Imprecision, Inaccuracy and TEa: http://www.westgard.com/biodatabase1.htm
Clin Lab News: How Labs can apply Six Sigma Principles to Quality Control
Dr. Westgard authored an article in the 2006 January issue of Clin Lab News.
Click here to download the article directly
Westgard QC is proud to announce our public workshops for 2006 to be held in Madison, Wisconsin, June 5th through 7th.
June 5: Standards and Practices, Guidelines and Indicators - The Lab in 2006
From unannounced inspections, checklist changes, and the risk of EQC, a panel of experts will help you navigate the new laboratory landscape
June 6-7: Evidence-Based Quality Management
International experts from academia and industry will help you find the evidence in your own lab about quality performance - and show you how to base your management practices on it.
Early registration and group discounts are available now
For all the news that was 2005, follow this link
For over a decade, Westgard QC has offered consulting services, training solutions, oem products, and embeddable QC engines to the major diagnostic and laboratory corporations of the world. Some of the world's biggest healthcare companies have used Westgard consulting services for their strategic projects. If you haven't seen what we have to offer, we invite you to take a look:
Consulting: http://www.westgard.com/consulting.html
Training: http://www.westgard.com/training.html
OEM: http://www.westgard.com/oem.html
Our complete list of downloads.
EZ Rules™ 3 demos and downloads:
EZ Rules™ software is the fastest, easiest way to choose the best control rules for your laboratory tests. Using a built-in Automatic QC Selection engine, EZ Rules™ asks you a few simple questions and then automatically tells you which control rule you should use for that test. It takes minimal user input, just a few questions, to get an authoritative QC recommendation. EZ Rules™ consults an internal library of over 100 statistical control rules, and gives you the option to select Patient Data control rules for Average of Normals.You can download standalone demos, view streaming Shockwave movies, and download the foreword, TOC, and section 1 of the program manual at
http://www.westgard.com/ezrules.html
Basic Method Validation Download:
Download the Foreword, TOC, and Chapter 1 of this popular manual, which was recently called "an ideal learning tool"and "an excellent resource" by Laboratory Medicine.
http://www.westgard.com/basicmvbook.htmBasic QC Practices Book Download:
Thousands have read the book, taken the online course, or used the training CD. Basic QC Practices is an essential reference. Now you can download the Foreword, TOC, and Chapter 1 of this manual.
http://www.westgard.com/basicqcbook.htm(And of course, you can still download the TOC & Foreword of our new manual, Basic Planning for Quality http://www.westgard.com/basicqpbook.htm)
Online Courses:
Over a thousand people like you -- from across the country and
around the globe -- are taking these online courses for continuing
education credit. Join them!
Basic Method Validation. Everything you ever wanted to know about method validation but were afraid to ask. Learn the inner, hidden, deeper secret meaning behind method validation (i.e. Why the heck do you have to crunch all those numbers, make graphs, and stick them in a folder?). This course covers all the key experiments like comparison of methods, linearity and reportable range, replication, interference, recovery, detection limit, and reference interval. CLIA, CAP-LAP, JCAHO and other regulatory requirements are also explained. An online data analysis toolkit is provided to give you worksheets, experimental plans, and the ability to generate comparison plots, difference plots, linearity plots, histograms, and more online. This course is accredited by the ASCLS for 15 PACE credits. Follow this link to register.
"Westgard Rules": The Multirule QC Minicourse. The "Westgard Rules" are common in many laboratories, but are often misunderstood and misinterpreted. Finally, Dr. Westgard has developed a course so that you can hear from the horses mouth what the rules are, how to implement them, and how to interpret control data correctly. This is a short essential course for laboratory techs who must use the "Westgard Rules". Online qc tools are used to demonstrate how to implement Multirule QC - a QC simulator, a QC checker, and more. Interactive quizzes help you judge your own progess at every step. This course is accredited by the ASCLS for 5 PACE credits. In just three lessons, you can learn everything there is to know about "Westgard Rules" and know that it was Westgard himself who told you. Follow this link to register.
The Levey-Jennings Minicourse (5 PACE credits):
Here's the fastest way to learn about the Levey-Jennings control chart. Not only do you learn how to construct control charts, plot data on them, and interpret the results,
you also gain access to Internet tools that actually create Levey-Jennings charts to your specifications. You can even test your interpretation of random data through an online QC Trainer.
http://www.westgard.com/levjens.htm
http://www.ascls.org/wqc/lj.htmlBasic QC Practices has hundreds of laboratory professionals enrolled! It's our most popular online course, with dozens of site licences across the country AND AROUND THE WORLD. You get a discount on our Basic QC Practices manual when you sign up! This well-received course has everything that the Multirule and Levey-Jennings Minicourse has and much, much more.
For all the news that was 2005, follow this link. We hope you keep coming back for more.
