The editorial arm of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, AACC Press, announces the publication of its first book in Spanish: Basic QC Practices: Training in Statistical Quality Control for Medical Laboratories, 3rd edition by Dr. James Westgard. The book is also published in English by Westgard QC. As a global authority on quality control, Dr. Westgard is co-founder and director of Westgard QC, which provides training, technology and tools for quality management in the laboratory. He is also Professor Emeritus of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. His research has focused on validation of the performance of laboratory methods and, more recently, on statistical quality control. Dr. Westgard is the author of nearly 200 publications, including eight books on quality management in the laboratory, and has received numerous awards, including several from the AACC.
The book is divided into four sections and 20 chapters. The first section examines Six Sigma methods and measurements – how to characterize a process to compare its performance to world-class quality. The second section describes Six Sigma`s design and control tools and technologies. This includes specific illustrations of using the Westgard Quality Control Validator® and EZ Rules® technology on real-world lab examples. Dr. Gabriel Migliarino poses with the Westgards in Chicago. Mr. Migliarino provided the last and longest chapter of the new book on basic quality management systems.
In the run-up to the AACC/ASCLS conference in Los Angeles, you may have seen a reference to a free book gift. For the first 150 people who come to the SeraCare booth at the lab show, they will receive a free book of their choice (from three possible titles: Basic QC Practices, Basic Method Validation and Six Sigma Risk Analysis). Download the free Kindle app and instantly read Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, no Kindle device required. Dr. James O. Westgard, Ph.D., an internationally renowned QC expert and originator of multi-rule QC procedures (commonly referred to as „Westgard rules”), has written a book that examines the core of laboratory performance. With over three decades of experience in laboratory quality, Dr. Westgard is the ideal guide for implementing Six Sigma in testing processes. Using unique tools and insights, Dr. Westgard shows how laboratory processes can be evaluated and how direct improvements can be made. Download the foreword, table of contents, index and excerpts (over 50 pages!) from this book.
At the 12th Annual Laboratory Medicine Conference in Nanjing, China, Westgard QC was proud to announce a new translation of the standard quality control manual, Basic QC Practices, into Chinese: The line to get books, Tuesday morning of the AACC/ASCLS conference What`s New in the 2015 Edition The last few years (2012 to 2014) have been turbulent for laboratories. Health care reform has put overwhelming financial pressure on many laboratories. Important regulatory changes are also underway for point-of-care devices – where the EQC will soon be replaced by IQCP. This 2015 edition of PLG explains IQCP theory, the specific components of a QCP, and provides a simplified guide to developing an IQCP for each of your tests. The controversial issue that blood glucose meters are used „off-label” for „critically ill” patients is also addressed. Finally, it explains the updated requirements of the Joint Commission, the College of American Pathologists and COLA. What you can count on in The Poor Lab`s guide For decades, Dr. Ehrmeyer has accompanied labs in their compliance efforts. She speaks frequently about CLIA, CAP, The Joint Commission and COLA.
Their down-to-earth advice has made them a favorite at conferences around the world. Now, all of their recommendations (and more) are available in this reference guide. Continuing this tradition, Poor Lab`s Guide is an essential collection of pragmatic wisdom for the American laboratory. Try the Learn More guide and download the foreword, foreword, table of contents, index, and sample excerpts www.westgard.com/guide-sample.htm Finally, the book includes a number of financial worksheets to help you assess the current state of your lab testing processes and the cost savings that can be achieved through Six Sigma enhancements. Perhaps more importantly, it helps you identify the cost of your current lab performance. This book is designed to help laboratories take their quality to the next level. Beyond simple compliance, there is a higher level of work, that of the quality system. Laboratories outside the U.S. are more familiar with this, and many are already required to obtain ISO 15189 accreditation. For laboratories in the United States, the leap to quality systems and/or ISO 15189 accreditation is a competitive decision.
In the future, laboratories with quality systems will have operational advantages over those without. Discover more of the author`s books, see similar authors, read author blogs, and more. Six Sigma Quality is an advanced process and profitability improvement technique that has revolutionized industries in America and around the world. The facts are clear: by improving quality with Six Sigma techniques, companies have been able to save billions while gaining a competitive advantage. In this book, Dr. Westgard will show you how to apply Six Sigma techniques to laboratory analysis processes. It is one of those very comprehensive manuals and for AACC members, it is available at a significant discount. We expected the event to last all day. Want to guess how long it took for all the books to disappear? [Caption: LTAG participant: Books should sound familiar to some of you…] www.aacc.org/store/books/11100/contemporary-practice-in-clinical-chemistry-3rd-edition At this year`s AACC/ASCLS meeting in Los Angeles, there are more opportunities than ever to attend a workshop with Dr. Westgard (or myself). There`s even a special event where you can get a free autographed book! Click on the links below to learn more or register for these events.
Tuesday, July 17 only: At SeraCare (booth #804), Dr. Westgard will sign examples of basic practices in quality control, validation of core methods and Six Sigma risk analysis. For a limited number of visitors, these books are FREE! (First come, first served, Tuesday only). Tuesday, 17. July, 7:00 a.m.: Quality management with a focus on Sigma metrics at Dr. Westgard`s clinical laboratory, Dr. Litten of Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Virginia, and Dr. Khosrow Adeli, University of Toronto, Ontario, discuss Six Sigma tools and their applications in real labs. Tuesday, July 17, 6:00 pm: Quality Control for the Future: EP23 Risk Management for Laboratories Dr. Westgard and Dr.
Curt Parvin of Bio-Rad Laboratories discuss new risk analysis techniques. Wednesday, July 18, 6:00 a.m.: Vitamin D Test – Bringing Performance and Quality to the Lab Dr. Hossein Sadrzadeh of Cedar-Sinai Medical Center LA, Cynthia Johnson of the University of Minnesota Medical Center, will present data from her studies on the new authomized 25-OH-D immunoassays. Sten Westgard will link performance to sigma metrics and evidence-based quality requirements, and provide recommendations for quality control and optimization of laboratory reporting. Westgard QC will also be exhibiting at booth 951. We will demonstrate the software, show our reference manuals and present a new book (whose title and subject will remain a mystery for now…) And of course, the infamous „Westgard Wear” raffle will take place. [Note: As you might expect, Dr. Westgard`s presentation at the Abbott Diagnostics Industry Workshop is sponsored by Abbott Diagnostics.
Dr. Westgard`s talk at the Bio-Rad Industry Workshop is sponsored by Bio-Rad. Westgard`s presence at the SeraCare booth is sponsored by SeraCare, etc.] Ask? Uneasiness? Would you like to place this order by phone? Call 608-833-4718 or email order@westgard.com „This highly readable book delivers on its promises, and more. It`s a refreshing mix of theory and practical advice that`s useful for teaching, for rehearsal, and for day-to-day lab operations. Robert L. Murray, Clinical Chemistry Order the book online now.***(Order online with BACKTOBASICS and save $15!, Offer expires November 30, 2022) For decades, Dr. Ehrmeyer has supported laboratories in their compliance efforts. She speaks frequently about CLIA, CAP, The Joint Commission and COLA. Their down-to-earth advice has made them a favorite at conferences around the world. Now, all of their recommendations (and more) are available in this reference guide.
More than 250 years ago, founding father Benjamin Franklin published „Poor`s Richard`s Almanack,” a compilation of practical advice and words for the wise. His bestseller was about the growing spirit of autonomy and independence in America. Continuing this tradition, Poor Lab`s Guide is an essential collection of pragmatic wisdom for the American laboratory. Try the guideLearn More and download the foreword, foreword, table of contents, index, and sample excerpts atwww.westgard.com/guide-sample.htmIntroductory Special: Save $15 on the cost of this guide with the online coupon: LABFREEDOM. Order in-store before July 31 before www.westgard.com/the-poor-labs-guide.htm 31 to take advantage of this discount. „It is an ideal reference for those who want to implement and operate valid quality control procedures in central labs or point-of-care test environments. I enjoyed working on the book and visiting the Internet references.