Proper instrument calibration can be looked at as the foundation of all laboratory patient testing. Proper calibration is the first step to producing reliable results and assuring good instrument performance. For this reason laboratories should always ensure proper calibration. It establishes a reference point that helps assist instruments to produce accurate testing results. All instruments of measurement, no matter what they measure, require periodic calibration. Even non-laboratory items, such as scales for food preparation, require periodic calibration.
Calibration of Equipment in a Science Lab
Proper instrument calibration can be looked at as the foundation of all laboratory patient testing. Proper calibration is the first step to producing reliable results and assuring good instrument performance. For this reason laboratories should always ensure proper calibration. It establishes a reference point that helps assist instruments to produce accurate testing results. All instruments of measurement, no matter what they measure, require periodic calibration. Even non-laboratory items, such as scales for food preparation, require periodic calibration.
It’s also very important to know when to recalibrate. To ensure your instrument is establishing a reliable baseline and you are building a strong foundation for accurate results. This is why frequent recalibration is recommended.
Steps to Choosing a Calibrator
- Third party calibrator, with independently assigned values, and which is not optimized to work with any specific instrument.
- Use a calibrator with the same matrix as a sample. (e.g. when calibrating blood tests ensure you choose a blood based calibrator)
- Use a calibrator that is completely traceable to reference materials. This ensures comparable and accurate test results.
- Use a multi-analyte calibrator with a long shelf life. This will save your lab valuable time and money.
Steps to Proper Laboratory Calibration
- Follow the instrument’s or manufacturer’s instructions for calibration.
- Re-calibrate after major instrument maintenance. These can cause shifts in your test's QC values.
- Re-calibrate every time a reagent batch is changed, unless you can demonstrate that changing reagent lot numbers does not adversely affect control values and patient results.
- Assess the required frequency of calibration when validating assays. Depending on the stability of the assay it may be necessary to recalibrate more/less frequently.
- Re-calibrate when your QC results are showing a systematic bias – calibration can eliminate trends or small analytical bias.
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