A quality-control system for the general urinalysis laboratory.

Sixteen quality-control products were prepared for general urinalysis testing. Empirically derived formulations simulating the variety found in clinical material monitored the routine analyses for pH, specific gravity, protein, glucose, ketone, and hemoglobin. Formalin-fixed erythrocytes, leukocytes, casts, crystals, and other particulates were added for qualitative identification of the formed sediment. Analytic results outside of the acceptable range were often due to errors in technic or subjective interpretation; re-education of individual personnel was followed by a decrease in the error rate over the first five months of the program.