Errors in Measuring Drug Concentrations

Abstract

MUCH of the research and practice of clinical pharmacology depends on the measurement of drug concentrations in the serum.¹ The error of these measurements can be monitored by assaying samples containing known amounts of drug.² However, errors made in the measurement of quality-control specimens may underestimate the error made on clinical samples.³ Quality-control specimens often do not resemble clinical specimens either in appearance or in the route of access to the laboratory.⁴ Laboratory personnel may exert unusual care in assaying samples recognized as quality-control specimens, and measurements made on specially submitted specimens circumvent errors arising in the handling and reporting . . .