Influencing factors for the detection accuracy of serum tobacco metabolites in network laboratory

Objective To explore the factors affecting the detection accuracy of serum tobacco metabolites in biological monitoring network laboratory.

Methods An analysis was performed for reagents, consumables, equipment, methods and personnel in the process of determination. According to the principle of changing only one condition each time, the operating conditions were improved one by one for the main links and main operations of sample detection, and the results of the same sample measured before and after changing the conditions were analyzed by one-way ANOVA to determine whether the changed conditions would cause significant differences in the test result of the network laboratory.

Results The analysis showed that whether personnel had received standardized training on pretreatment operation and the internal standard of different brands were factors causing a relatively large inter-laboratory error. Network laboratory personnel training and unified pre-treatment operation process and reagent raw materials can improve the detection accuracy of network experiment. The coefficient of variation remains below 10% while the result of the same concentration of tobacco metabolites in serum samples between network laboratories, which can meet the requirements for accuracy in the detection of serum tobacco metabolites.

Conclusion Through the training of laboratory personnel, unifying the operation process of each laboratory and using the same brand of reagents and materials to improve the accuracy of detection of tobacco metabolites in serum by laboratories, and ensure the quality of result and reliability of data in multi-laboratories with large sample size of the national survey.