Post-analytical practices in clinical mass spectrometry laboratories: an international survey across 57 countries.

IF 3.7 2区 医学 Q1 MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
Jenny Yeuk-Ki Cheng, Brett C McWhinney, Avis C McWhinney, Danijela Kocic, Damien Gruson, Ronda F Greaves, Chung Shun Ho
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is increasingly used in clinical laboratories due to its high analytical specificity and multiplexing capabilities. While the pre-analytical and analytical phases have seen significant advances in automation, the post-analytical phase remains a bottleneck with limited standardisation. This survey aimed to identify gaps, benchmark practices against guidelines, and inform recommendations for improving consistency and quality in post-analytical data handling.

Methods: A descriptive electronic survey with 53 questions was distributed via the IFCC mailing list and collaborating organisations from May to July 2024. Questions covered participant characteristics, post-analytical quality indicators (e.g., chromatograms, calibration curves, ion ratios), quality assurance, and data management. Responses were benchmarked against three LC-MS/MS guidelines.

Results: Of 311 initial responses, 203 valid submissions from 57 countries were analysed. Laboratories reported diverse throughput: low (<100 samples/week, n=50), medium (100-2,000 samples/week, n=125), and high (>2,000 samples/week, n=28). Key findings included inconsistent acceptance criteria (e.g., variable ion ratios and signal-to-noise thresholds), reliance on manual data transcription (38 % of laboratories), and continued use of in-house spreadsheets. Practices often deviated from guidelines, with opportunities identified for harmonisation and automation.

Conclusions: In collaboration with the clinical mass spectrometry community, the IFCC-ETD developed six key recommendations from this survey to address challenges and enhance consistency, quality, and efficiency in post-analytical data handling.

临床质谱实验室的分析后实践:一项覆盖57个国家的国际调查。
目的:液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)因其高分析特异性和多路复用能力在临床实验室中的应用越来越广泛。虽然分析前和分析阶段在自动化方面取得了重大进展,但分析后阶段仍然是标准化有限的瓶颈。这项调查的目的是确定差距,对照指南的基准做法,并为提高分析后数据处理的一致性和质量提供建议。方法:一份包含53个问题的描述性电子调查于2024年5月至7月通过IFCC邮件列表和合作组织分发。问题包括参与者特征、分析后质量指标(如色谱图、校准曲线、离子比)、质量保证和数据管理。响应以三个LC-MS/MS指南为基准。结果:在311份初步回复中,分析了来自57个国家的203份有效提交。实验室报告了不同的吞吐量:低(2000个样品/周,n=28)。主要发现包括不一致的验收标准(例如,可变离子比和信噪比阈值),依赖手动数据转录(38% %的实验室),以及继续使用内部电子表格。实践经常偏离指导方针,有机会进行协调和自动化。结论:IFCC-ETD与临床质谱界合作,从本次调查中提出了六项关键建议,以应对挑战,提高分析后数据处理的一致性、质量和效率。
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来源期刊
Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine 医学-医学实验技术
CiteScore
11.30
自引率
16.20%
发文量
306
审稿时长
3 months
期刊介绍: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) publishes articles on novel teaching and training methods applicable to laboratory medicine. CCLM welcomes contributions on the progress in fundamental and applied research and cutting-edge clinical laboratory medicine. It is one of the leading journals in the field, with an impact factor over 3. CCLM is issued monthly, and it is published in print and electronically. CCLM is the official journal of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and publishes regularly EFLM recommendations and news. CCLM is the official journal of the National Societies from Austria (ÖGLMKC); Belgium (RBSLM); Germany (DGKL); Hungary (MLDT); Ireland (ACBI); Italy (SIBioC); Portugal (SPML); and Slovenia (SZKK); and it is affiliated to AACB (Australia) and SFBC (France). Topics: - clinical biochemistry - clinical genomics and molecular biology - clinical haematology and coagulation - clinical immunology and autoimmunity - clinical microbiology - drug monitoring and analysis - evaluation of diagnostic biomarkers - disease-oriented topics (cardiovascular disease, cancer diagnostics, diabetes) - new reagents, instrumentation and technologies - new methodologies - reference materials and methods - reference values and decision limits - quality and safety in laboratory medicine - translational laboratory medicine - clinical metrology Follow @cclm_degruyter on Twitter!
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