Laboratory Quality Control Blog

Regulation and accreditation

When a test result is wrong, the laboratory answers for it

Fines of up to R$ 1.5 million, closure, damages and criminal charges: what Brazilian law provides when laboratory quality fails and how to stay clear of it.

10/12/2026 · 18 min read

Regulation and accreditation

External quality assessment (EQA): a complete guide to proficiency testing

What RDC 978/2025, PALC, DICQ and ISO 15189 require of EQA, how to run a round, read z-scores and deviation indices and investigate unacceptable results.

10/11/2026 · 14 min read

Regulation and accreditation

RDC 978/2025 ANVISA: What changes in Internal Quality Control

Find out what changes in Internal Quality Control with RDC 978/2025 ANVISA. Understand the main requirements of the new laboratory regulations.

Rules, graphs and statistics

Coefficient of variation: calculate CV

Calculate the CV from the mean and standard deviation and understand the precautions to monitor the imprecision of controls.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

IQC routine and management

How to choose IQC software

Compare charts, rules, records, integration and support with an IQC software assessment roadmap for routine laboratory work.

9/15/2026 · 2 min read

Regulation and accreditation

External quality assessment and proficiency testing

Understand how CEQ and IQC complement each other and organize the analysis of proficiency test results in the laboratory.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Total allowable error: how to choose TEa

Know the role of total allowable error in method evaluation and document the source of the specification used by the laboratory.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Levey-Jennings chart in Excel: a template

Create a Levey-Jennings graph with demonstrative data, mean and standard deviation limits. Download a study model.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Measurement uncertainty in the laboratory

Differentiate measurement imprecision, bias, and uncertainty and organize the data needed to estimate method uncertainty.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Six Sigma: calculation and interpretation

Understand the sigma metric, calculate with TEa, bias and CV and take care to interpret analytical performance.

9/15/2026 · 4 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Laboratory method verification

Organize a performance verification script before incorporating or changing a method into the laboratory routine.

9/15/2026 · 3 min read

IQC routine and management

The real value of investing in laboratory quality

Understand the real value of investing in laboratory quality: why Internal Quality Control represents savings and a competitive advantage.

12/12/2023 · 4 min read

IQC routine and management

The IQC journey: establishing a baseline

The IQC Journey: building the basis and routine of Internal Quality Control. Step-by-step guide to implementing IQC in the clinical laboratory.

11/29/2023 · 6 min read

IQC routine and management

Paulo C. Azevedo Laboratory: an IQC case study

Success story: how QualiChart made the Paulo C. Azevedo Laboratory tests reliable with Internal Quality Control.

8/23/2023 · 5 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Comparing internal quality control methods

How to overcome the limitations of IQC with comparative analysis of traditional methods. Strategies for more efficient clinical laboratories.

7/27/2023 · 8 min read

IQC routine and management

Control materials: selection and use in IQC

Complete guide on control material: what it is, how to choose it and how to use it correctly in the Internal Quality Control of the clinical laboratory.

3/3/2023 · 9 min read

IQC routine and management

Automating IQC in the clinical laboratory

Discover the advantages of Internal Quality Control automation: greater efficiency, fewer operational errors and compliance with RDC 978/2025 ANVISA.

9/26/2022 · 6 min read

Regulation and accreditation

Laboratory accreditation

What is laboratory accreditation, how the evaluation process works and why certification is fundamental to the quality of the clinical laboratory.

6/8/2022 · 17 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Using manufacturer-assigned ranges for IQC

Perform IQC according to the manufacturer's stated range: understand why this practice can compromise the safety of results in the clinical laboratory.

6/8/2022 · 8 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Understanding Levey-Jennings charts

The Levey-Jennings chart is the main visual tool of IQC. Learn how to interpret it to identify errors and trends in the clinical laboratory.

6/8/2022 · 10 min read

Regulation and accreditation

Clinical Laboratories – Requirements for proper functioning

Learn about the safety requirements for clinical laboratories according to ANVISA: PPE, standards of good practice and requirements for proper functioning.

6/8/2022 · 9 min read

IQC routine and management

The 3 phases of laboratory tests

Understand the 3 phases of laboratory tests: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical, and how each step impacts the quality and reliability of the results.

6/7/2022 · 15 min read

IQC routine and management

Why internal quality control matters

6 reasons to take care of Internal Quality Control in the clinical laboratory: safety, compliance with RDC 978 and reliable results.

6/7/2022 · 24 min read

IQC routine and management

Understanding internal quality control

Everything about Internal Quality Control in the clinical laboratory: concepts, steps, Westgard rules and how to guarantee reliable tests for patients.

6/7/2022 · 17 min read

IQC routine and management

Seven ways to manage laboratory nonconformities

7 fundamental attitudes to deal with nonconformities in the clinical laboratory: how to perform critical analysis and ensure continuous improvement of IQC.

6/6/2022 · 13 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Westgard rules: how to interpret IQC

Learn to interpret Westgard's multiple rules to identify systematic and random errors in the laboratory's Internal Quality Control.

6/6/2022 · 9 min read

Rules, graphs and statistics

Systematic and random errors in the laboratory

Learn the difference between systematic and random errors in Internal Quality Control and how Westgard rules help identify them in the laboratory.

6/6/2022 · 6 min read

Regulation and accreditation

RDC 302/2005: history and replacement standard

Understand why RDC 302/2005 is a historical reference and how to review procedures according to RDC 978/2025 and its amendments.