Sigma metrics in quality control- An innovative tool

The clinical laboratory in today’s world is a rapidly evolving field which faces a constant pressure to produce quick and reliable results. Sigma metric is a new tool which helps to reduce process variability, quantitate the approximate number of analytical errors, and evaluate and guide for better quality control (QC) practices.To analyze sigma metrics of 16 biochemistry analytes using ERBA XL 200 Biochemistry analyzer, interpret parameter performance, compare analyzer performance with other Middle East studies and modify existing QC practices.This study was undertaken at a clinical laboratory for a period of 12 months from January to December 2020 for the following analytes: albumin (ALB), alanine amino transferase (SGPT), aspartate amino transferase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), bilirubin total (BIL T), bilirubin direct (BIL D), calcium (CAL), cholesterol (CHOL), creatinine (CREAT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose (GLUC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), total protein (PROT), uric acid (UA) and urea. The Coefficient of variance (CV%) and Bias % were calculated from internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance scheme (EQAS) records respectively. Total allowable error (TEa) was obtained using guidelines Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act guidelines (CLIA). Sigma metrics was calculated using CV%, Bias% and TEa for the above parameters. It was found that 5 analytes in level 1 and 8 analytes in level 2 had greater than 6 sigma performance indicating world class quality. Cholesterol, glucose (level 1 and 2) and creatinine level 1 showed >4 sigma performance i.e acceptable performance. Urea (both levels) and GGT (level 1) showed <3 sigma and were therefore identified as the problem analytes. Sigma metrics helps to assess analytic methodologies and can serve as an important self assessment tool for quality assurance in the clinical laboratory. Sigma metric evaluation in this study helped to evaluate the quality of several analytes and also categorize them from high performing to problematic analytes, indicating the utility of this tool. In conclusion, parameters showing lesser than 3 sigma need strict monitoring and modification of quality control procedure with change in method if necessary.

SISTEM PENJAMINAN MUTU INTERNAL (SPMI)

The purpose of this research is to look at the educational achievements of students through an internal quality assurance system and as a tool to achieve and maintain school progress. Research, with a quantative approach. The data obtained is obtained through interview techniques, observations, and library studies. The results of the study were analyzed by using data reduction, presentation of data and drawing conclusions. The findings of the meaning of the importance of SPMI are implemented in elementary school educational institutions. The study was conducted at one of SMAN 3 Wajo's schools. The results of this study show that: (1) SPMI which is carried out continuously contributes to the acquisition of superior accreditation ratings. (2) The SPMI cycle that is carried out in its entirety has guided the course of various tasks from school stakeholders. (3) Quality culture can be created through the implementation of SPMI.Keywords: Internal Quality Assurance System; Quality of SMAN 3 Wajo School

Interspecific variations in external and internal egg quality among various captive avian species from Punjab, Pakistan

Present study was planned to determine variations in external and internal quality egg parameters of different avian species including ostrich Struthio camelus, ducks Anas platyrhynchos, chicken Gallus gallus, turkeys Meleagris gallopavo and grey francolin Francolinus pondicerinus. All the birds were kept under similar rearing conditions. A total of 150 eggs were collected for each species to record external features of these eggs. Statistically significant (p<0.05) variations were recorded in egg weight, egg length and egg width between ostrich, ducks, chicken, turkey and quail eggs. Significantly (p<0.05) higher egg weight, egg length and egg width was observed for ostrich eggs while the same was lowest for grey francolin eggs. Similarly, significantly (p<0.05) greater shape index and egg volume values were observed for ostrich eggs while lowest shape index values were recorded for turkey eggs and egg volume was lowest for grey francolin. Significantly, higher (p<0.05) values of egg density were noted for eggs of the quail and the same were lowest for ostrich eggs. Non-significant variations in egg density values were observed between eggs of the ducks, chicken, turkey and grey francolin. It has been concluded that the positive correlations between the internal and external egg quality traits indicated that the traits can be improved through selection.

Excellence in Internal Quality Assurance: An Empirical Study in United States

Assessment or internal quality assurance (IQA) processes have often been driven by external stakeholders such as accreditation and governmental agencies of higher education, which are focused on accountability rather than quality improvement. This research examined how private and non-profit Doctoral and Research institutions with less public financial dependence and accountability requirements adopted the Excellence in Assessment (EIA) rubric to improve their IQA models that supports improvement. A survey based on National Institute of Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) EIA rubric was sent to the ASSESS Listserv to learn if there was a difference in EIA scores related to source of funding and Carnegie characteristics. A two-way MANOVA analysis of the survey responses showed that there was no difference in IQA practice followed EIA rubric between source of funding (public and non-profit private institutions) and Carnegie classification (Research and Comprehensive). Recommendations are made regarding the reliability of the EIA rubric. The EIA designation can serve as a framework for U.S. and non-U.S. higher education institutions to benchmark and improve the current IQA processes.

Quality Culture and Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institution

Internal quality assurance is an important management tool in higher education. World-class universities have established and developed their internal quality assurance system together with buiding and developing the institutional quality culture. Research and practice from many universities worldwide showed that there are good connections between quality culture and internal quality assurance. This paper aims to analyse and evaluate the relationship between internal quality assurance and quality culture in the international higher education context. Consequently, the outcomes of the study are recommendations for the establishment and development of the quality culture together with the development of the internal quality assurance system for Vietnamese higher education institutions.

EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMATION OF UNIVERSAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF DOCTORS-ORGANIZERS OF HEALTH CARE DURING DISTANCE LEARNING

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the formation of universal and professional competencies of doctors healthcare organizers during distance learning on training cycles. The objectives of the study included the development of an additional professional advanced training program "Organization of health care and public health" with the inclusion of a training module using distance learning technologies (DLT) "Development and implementation of a quality management system in a medical organization", development of a distance course "Organization of internal quality control and safety of medical activities" with an adapted system for assessing the level of competence formation in the form of test control and experimental verification of the effectiveness of the formation of universal and professional competencies of doctors healthcare organizers in distance learning in comparison with the traditional form in training cycles. Reliable results have been obtained on the effective formation of competencies both in traditional learning and in learning using DLT. The assessment of the reliability of the differences in test results after training between the experimental group, trained using DLT, and the control group, using the traditional form of training, was carried out. There were no statistically significant differences in test results between the compared groups. Thus, the results of the study indicate that the use of DLT in teaching and the education quality control system adapted to them makes it possible to effectively form the universal and professional competencies of doctors in the courses of advanced training. At the same time, mandatory preliminary measures should be taken, including the development of a professional development program with the inclusion of a distance learning module and the development of a distance course with an adapted knowledge control system.

Study on the production of Reference Material (RM) for Vitamin B1, B2, B6 in health supplements

Vitamins are essential nutrients commonly found in food products in general and health supplements in particular. In order to accurately evaluate product quality, laboratories need to use reference material in analysis, proficiency assessment, method validation and ensure the validity of the results. The use of reference materials plays an important role in the quality control of test results and is a mandatory requirement for laboratories wishing to demonstrate appropriate competence as required by ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The need to provide reference materials for laboratories is huge. However, at present, there are very few domestic organizations that can produce reference materials, while the cost of buying reference materials from reputable firms in the world is expensive. In this study, we introduced the procedure and production reference materials for the analysis of B-group vitamins (B1, B2, B6). These reference materials were evaluated for homogeneity and stability in 322 days. The certified values are consistent with the concentrations of substances present in normal samples in practice. The measurement uncertainty ranges from 14.5 - 23.3 %. The reference materials can be used for internal quality control for domestic laboratories and is also a premise for further research on standard samples with different matrix and analytical criteria.

Implementation of Internal Quality Assurance to Improve the Quality of Islamic Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of internal quality assurance of madrasah Aliyah Amanatul Ummah International Standard to improve the quality of education as one of the international-based madrasah. There were 30 participants involved in this study, of consisted of 1 kiai, 1 madrasah head, 1 deputy coordinator of madrasah, 27 teachers (ustads). They were selected by using purposive sampling. This research was a case study research design with a single case study model in qualitative research. The qualitative data were collected by using observation, documents and interviews. The data analysis technique used three activity flows that occurred simultaneously, namely, l) data reduction; 2) data display, and 3) concluding/verification. The results of data analysis indicated that the quality assurance process has an orderly flow by Standard Operating Procedures. The process started from setting evaluation standards, implementing evaluations, monitoring, self-evaluation, auditing internal academic quality as a whole, formulating corrections, and improving quality. This cycle was carried out continuously. Quality assurance improved the quality of Islamic education. It had a positive impact on sustainable quality assurance and the commitment of stakeholders to achieve quality education

Performance evaluation of internal quality control rules, EWMA, CUSUM, and the novel machine learning model

Objectives The present study set out to build a machine learning model to incorporate conventional quality control (QC) rules, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA), and cumulative sum (CUSUM) with random forest (RF) algorithm to achieve better performance and to evaluate the performances the models using computer simulation to aid laboratory professionals in QC procedure planning. Methods Conventional QC rules, EWMA, CUSUM, and RF models were implemented on the simulation data using an in-house algorithm. The models’ performances were evaluated on 170,000 simulated QC results using outcome metrics, including the probability of error detection (Ped), probability of false rejection (Pfr), average run length (ARL), and power graph. Results The highest Pfr (0.0404) belonged to the 1–2s rule. The 1–3s rule could not detect errors with a 0.9 Ped up to 4 SD of systematic error. The random forest model had the highest Ped for systematic errors lower than 1 SD. However, ARLs of the model require the combined utility of the RF model with conventional QC rules having lower ARLs or more than one QC measurement is required. Conclusions The RF model presented in this study showed acceptable Ped for most degrees of systematic error. The outcome metrics established in this study will help laboratory professionals planning internal QC.

EVALUATION, MONITORING AND AUDITING OF SUPPLIERS IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

In the global market, the supply chain performances have a significant impact on the company’s business strategy. The quality requirements that must be followed by suppliers require permanent monitoring of processes of design, development, production, installation and service of products through audits qualified based on supply chain management. This paper presents an analysis of the supplier qualification process including the main phases as follows: evaluation, monitoring and auditing of suppliers in supply chain management. Internal quality audits and/or suppliers are one of the key instruments for ensuring sustainability and performance in supply chain management. Auditing of suppliers is a core component of the modern management of suppliers, with the help of which the customer can analyze precisely relevant processes to existing or potential suppliers. Supplier audits help both commercial partners to increase the transparency of the supply chain and also simplify supplier selection, evaluation, monitoring and development. The suppliers must meet the highest quality standards for products and processes. The main purpose of this paper is to give a general view of the supplier qualification process which involves the steps from initial identification until the inclusion of the supplier in the Approved Supplier List (LST). This list should be managed in such way that a complete traceability is assured. Following the proposed qualification diagram the customer can obtain an image about the status of one supplier, can also identify the weak points considering the evaluation, monitoring and audit class.