Measurement uncertainty of fertility hormones, pharmaceutical levels, cardiac markers, thyroid function tests and tumor markers

OBJECTIVE: Measurement uncertainty is a non-negative parameter that characterizes the distribution of all values appropriate to the measured size and is associated with the measured result. More specifically, it is a quantitative indicator of the range in which the real result may actually be. In this study, it was aimed to compare the results with various suggestions and produce more quality results by calculating the measurement uncertainties of the parameters selected as fertility hormones, pharmaceutical levels, cardiac markers, thyroid function tests and tumor markers. METHOD: Uncertainty calculation was made in accordance with the top-down approach according to Nordtest guide. Internal quality control data and external quality control results were used between 01.01.2018 and 31.12.2018. The pharmaceutical levels are tested on the Abbott Architect c8000, other parameters on the i2000 of the same brand. RESULTS: As a result of our calculations, it was seen that 13 of 26 selected parameters have lower uncertainty values than the recommendations of various guides. The highest uncertainty value was as 28% for CA 19-9 test. The lowest value was calculated for Prolactin with 8%. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the concept of measurement uncertainty, which plays an important role in the total quality performance of the laboratory, should be followed up by the clinical laboratory experts and should be increased the awareness of clinicians about the subject.