CLSI EP33

Use of Delta Checks in the Medical Laboratory, 2nd Edition

This guideline provides approaches for selecting measurands for which delta checks are useful, establishing delta check limits and rules for comparing current clinical reported results with previously reported results for a given patient, initiating delta check alerts in the laboratory information system, investigating patient samples with delta check alerts, and evaluating the effectiveness of the laboratory’s delta check program.

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Chairholder: Rex Astles, PhD, FAACC, DABCC

Date of Publication: July 6, 2023

Order Code PDF: CLSI EP33Ed2E
ISBN Number: 978-1-68440-193-2

Order Code Print: CLSI EP33Ed2
ISBN Number: 978-1-68440-192-5

Edition: Second

Pages: 70

CLSI EP33 Additional Details

A guideline for global application developed through the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute consensus process.

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CLSI EP33 Abstract

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline EP33—Use of Delta Checks in the Medical Laboratory provides guidance for developing a program for a delta check quality control tool to evaluate the differences between consecutive results for the same patient. The delta check program alerts laboratory personnel to situations in which differences between these consecutive results exceed specified limits. Such changes may indicate changes in patient conditions or sample problems (eg, misidentification, contamination, hemolysis). With the growing use of autoverification, delta checks are increasingly used as one of the tools to identify results that need additional review. This guideline represents a consensus of experts who have reviewed available data on approaches for the use of delta checks. It suggests approaches to establishing delta check limits, selecting measurands for which delta checks are useful, developing rules for comparing a patient test result to previous results, investigating samples with delta check alerts, and evaluating the effectiveness of the laboratory’s delta check program.