C50-P

General Principles and Guidelines on the Use of Mass Spectrometry in the Clinical Laboratory: Proposed Guideline

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document C50-P-Mass Spectrometry in the Clinical Laboratory: General Principles and Guidance; Proposed Guideline provides a general understanding of MS and the principles that dictate its application in the clinical laboratory. It includes guidance, references, and quality assurance markers that will assist with the implementation and correct operation of an MS system for its many applications. Information on maintaining optimum performance, approaches to ensuring accurate and precise mass measurement, verification of methods, quality control of assays within and between instruments, instrument troubleshooting, sample preparation, interpretation of results, and limitations of the technology is included. This document is intended to be a basic resource for clinical chemists; health practitioners; instrument manufacturers; and those responsible for developing standards, implementing policy, and teaching.