Jakość badań densytometrycznych w Polsce : wyniki oceny wstępnej

Bibliogr. s. 52

Background: The quality of measurements is the main problem in clinical diagnostics. Only a well-designed and properly implemented quality control system ensures that real and precise measurement results are obtained. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of bone mineral density measurements in laboratories in Poland. Material/Methods: 15 laboratories from 9 cities participated in the study. The evaluation was performed on the basis of International Society for Clinical Densitometry recommendations and data from the literature. Part I of the evaluation comprised checking the calibration and stability of the densitometer, the safety of acquisition data, the documentation of services, and the reproducibility of measurements in patients. Part II comprised reproducibility, based on phantom testing, using European spine phantom and anthropomorphic spine phantom. Phantom measurements and analysis were done in a routine manner by native operators. Results: The only activity which was properly and regularly performed in all laboratories was calibration. The other activities were performed properly in less than half of the laboratories, and some of them only in single laboratories. In nearly half of the laboratories the reproducibility error exceeded the tolerance limit. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the quality of bone mineral density measurement in Poland is rather low. Introducing quality control in laboratories and training courses for operators is strongly recommended.