Clinical Chemistry
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Clinical Chemistry 42: 836-840, 1996;
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Astion, M. L.
Right arrow Articles by Pagliaro, L. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Astion, M. L.
Right arrow Articles by Pagliaro, L. J.

Clinical Chemistry, Vol 42, 836-840, Copyright © 1996 by American Association for Clinical Chemistry

A computer program that periodically monitors the ability to interpret the antinuclear antibody test

ML Astion, MH Wener, K Hutchinson, GB Olsen, AR Orkand and LJ Pagliaro
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.

Our laboratory has been developing computer programs that help medical technologists improve their performance of the microscope-based immunofluorescence assay for antinuclear antibodies (ANA). This image- based laboratory test has been associated with poor reproducibility. We have previously described our first program, ANA-Tutor, which systematically teaches the ANA test by using approximately 150 processed digital images of ANA test results. The program we describe here, Pattern Plus Auditor, is a logical extension to ANA-Tutor. Pattern Plus Auditor tests the ability of laboratory personnel to interpret the ANA test, and tracks individual and laboratory performance over time. The program consists of image-based questions that test a variety of ANA staining patterns, including homogeneous, speckled, centromere, nucleolar, mixed patterns, and rare patterns. For each question, the program provides correct answers with explanations and color overlays that highlight key image features. By entering the proper password, users gain access to exam results for individuals and for the laboratory as a whole. Results are available for the current exam, any previous exam, or cumulatively on all exams to date. Intralaboratory testing with computer programs such as Pattern Plus Auditor might be a useful part of quality-assurance procedures for many image-based laboratory tests.


The following articles in journals at HighWire Press have cited this article:


Home page
 Clin. Chem.Home page
M. L. Astion, S. Kim, A. Nelson, P. J. Henderson, C. Phillips, C. Bien, L. Mandel, A. R. Orkand, and J. S. Fine
A Two-Year Study of Microscopic Urinalysis Competency Using the Urinalysis-Review Computer Program
Clin. Chem., June 1, 1999; 45(6): 757 - 770.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1996 by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.