As we do our self inspection I have come across this new CAP requirement.
**NEW** 08/17/2016 Alternative Control Procedures If the laboratory performs test procedures for which control materials are not commercially available, there are written procedures for an alternative mechanism to detect immediate errors and monitor test system performance over time. The performance of alternative control procedures must be recorded.
NOTE: "Performance" includes elements of accuracy, precision, and clinical discriminating power. Examples of alternative procedures may include split sample testing with another method or with another laboratory, the testing of previously tested patient specimens in duplicate, testing of patient specimens in duplicate, or other defined processes approved by the laboratory director.
I have a number of tests that do not have commercial QC, Gastrocult, Hansel Stain, Giemsa Stain, PFA, and HITs.
My questions are:
Does anyone know of any commercial QC for any these tests?
Anytime we do a Wright or Giemsa stain we generally judge the quality as our QC. For Hansel we do stain a blood smear that has a high Eos count. Does anyone do anything different?
Thanks!