A questionnaire sent to laboratories in the UK and Ireland elicited information on acceptance or otherwise of values assigned to serum-based calibration materials for 14 analytes. Overall, 33% of assigned values were changed by users. The reasons for change, together with the degree of magnitude and direction of change, were studied for each analyte. Unidirectional changes made to assigned values were related to particular batches and manufacturers. Detailed information is presented for protein (Beckman RIIC Ltd.) on Astras, and sodium, bicarbonate and bilirubin on SMACs and SMAs (Technicon Instrument Co. Ltd.)
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