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Journalism of Courage
When it comes to your health, lab reports play a critical role in guiding diagnoses, treatment plans, and even lifestyle changes. But how often do we stop to consider the accuracy and reliability of these reports? Whether it’s a routine blood test or a more specialised screening, the trust we place in lab results is immense.
Yet, various factors, from testing methodologies to the lab’s accreditation, can influence the outcomes. In India, where healthcare standards can vary widely, the credibility of lab reports becomes even more significant.
This was discussed by integrative lifestyle expert Luke Coutinho in an episode of his podcast with healthcare expert Dhruv Gupta. “Do you ever wonder how much you can trust your lab reports when it comes to your health?” he captioned the post.
Questions about the accuracy of lab tests, the methods used, and how to ensure you’re choosing a reliable lab are crucial for anyone concerned about their health. Understanding the nuances behind these reports can help you make more informed decisions.
Skewed results are not much common in stand-alone labs, informs Dr Sachin Rastogi, director, pathology lab and blood bank, Yashoda Super-Speciality Hospitals Kaushambi. “They are more common in hospital-based labs where clinical history is easily available to pathologists. They may correlate the results with the clinical condition of the patient.”
Sometimes, like in the case of dehydration, elevated parameters may be seen, he says, which become normal after treating dehydration. Keeping this in mind a skewed report is made. Even a diluted or clotted sample can result in erroneous results. So a pre-analytical check is a must, Dr Rastogi stresses.
According to Dr Rastogi, for NABL accredited labs, a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) is made to run the test, which includes daily running of controls and their close monitoring is done through the use of Westgard rules (these rules are used for laboratory quality control using ‘runs’ consisting of measurements of multiple samples, based on information provided by Lean Six Sigma Definition).
Other quality parameters are involved in NABL lab like – ILC (Inter Lab Comparison), EQAS (External Quality Assessment Services) and retained sample running. “To ensure the proper running of machines, preventive maintenance is done at specified intervals. At the time of installation of the machine proper standardisation is done by IQ, OQ and PQ procedure. IQ stands for Installation Qualification, OQ for Operational Qualification, and PQ for Performance Qualification.,” he notes.
Dr Rastogi, tells indiaexpress.com, “Sink tests are those samples that are directly discarded to sink without running on a machine and a fake report is generated for the sample. These sink tests are usually done in small non-NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) labs. As these are non-performed tests, no comment can be given over their accuracy.”
Dr Rastogi says, “NABL is an autonomous organisation which ensures laboratory quality control. It enforces the lab to keep a daily record of controls and their monthly Levey-Jennings charts preparation to minimise the possibilities of error.”
Apart from that, he continues, various other quality parameters are there to keep check on quality control. “So, I think NABL should be mandatory for all labs conducting blood tests and patients should be encouraged to get their tests done from NABL-accredited labs only.”
