Method and structure for mitigating instrumentation differences

Abstract

A method and system for mitigating instrumentation differences in laboratory instruments. The system of the present invention includes one or more groups of laboratory instruments in communication with a normalization server via a network. Each group of laboratory instruments communicates instrument control specimen and testing specimen output data to the normalization server via a variety of communication methods. Once the normalization server receives the control specimen data it generates a normalization curve for the instrument according to a control group. Accordingly, the normalization server then maps the testing specimen data according to the normalization curve The normalization server then outputs the normalized outputs to the groups. In a first embodiment, a external quality control output from the group is sent to the normalization server for the purpose of mapping the outputs to a larger peer output control group. In another embodiment, a patient sample output from a group of laboratory instruments is normalized with a previous patient sample test to allow a progression analysis of the patient. The present invention allows for the mitigation of instrumentation differences in the outputs from one or more groups of laboratory equipment to allow for better data manipulation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 519,224, filed on Mar. 6, 2000, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Generally, data outputs from a laboratory instrument testing of a subject sample may be utilized to monitor the performance of the instrument or to provide a comparison set of results for the subject being tested. Specifically, the subject sample being tested can include a standardized external quality control sample distributed by a testing organization or an individual patient sample to be tested and analyzed. For example, if the subject sample is a standardized external quality control sample, the test results from the instrument allow the laboratory to ensure that the instrument is properly functioning by comparing the instrument data with peer ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach enables accurate comparison of laboratory group results with peer group quality control results and standardizes patient sample results by mitigating instrumentation differences, allowing for proper analysis and integration of data from diverse instrument groups.

Problems solved by technology

For example, if a group of laboratory instruments testing a proficiency sample includes data from only eight instruments, the relatively small number of instrument results do not provide an adequate peer group to construct a proper range of expected results.

However, under the conventional method, differences between the instruments, in the form of calibration differences, statistical behavior differences and / or test method differences, can yield differences between the laboratory group results and the peer group results.

Thus, the conventional method of a direct comparison between the results of the two groups could be either impossible or erroneous.

With regard to the testing of a patient subject sample, the conventional method of testing and directly comparing the data results between a first and second sample can become deficient if the patient group is mobile and there are differences between the laboratory instruments.

If a second test is conducted by a second group of laboratory instruments, differences between the instruments of the two groups may cause a reviewer to believe there is a larger discrepancy between the results then there actually is.

Accordingly, the conventional method of a direct comparison would cause an improper analysis.

Images