14 min readUpdated Jan 2026
QC Management Workflow Guide
Quality control is the foundation of accurate results. Design workflows that catch problems before they affect patient care.
The QC Workflow
1
Run QC Materials — Two levels (normal/abnormal) at defined frequency
2
Capture Results — LIMS receives QC values from instrument automatically
3
Apply Westgard Rules — System evaluates against 1:2s, 1:3s, 2:2s, R:4s, etc.
4
Review Charts — Levey-Jennings visualization of trends and patterns
5
Accept or Reject — In-control: proceed. Out-of-control: troubleshoot
6
Document Actions — Record corrective actions, re-runs, and resolution
Westgard Rules Quick Reference
| Rule | Violation | Indicates | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2s | One result >2SD from mean | Warning | Inspect, check other rules |
| 1:3s | One result >3SD from mean | Random error | Reject run |
| 2:2s | Two consecutive >2SD same side | Systematic error | Reject run |
| R:4s | Two controls differ by >4SD | Random error | Reject run |
| 4:1s | Four consecutive >1SD same side | Systematic shift | Investigate |
| 10x | Ten consecutive same side of mean | Systematic shift | Investigate |
LIMS QC Capabilities
Levey-Jennings Charts
Real-time plotting with trend visualization
Automatic Rule Application
Configurable Westgard rules per test
Lockout Capability
Prevent patient result release when QC fails
Trend Detection
Identify shifts before they cause failures
Need Help with QC Workflows?
We help laboratories configure LIMS QC management, implement Westgard rules, and design workflows that ensure analytical quality.
Discuss QC management