Using the App

QC Simulator

Premium tool. Open from /training-dashboard → QC Simulator or via the route /qc-simulator.

The QC Simulator is the most-used tool in our quality stack. It generates realistic IQC scenarios across analytes and asks you to interpret them in real time against Westgard rules and Levey-Jennings charts.

What it does

• Generates a daily QC dataset across your chosen analyte panel (e.g. U&E, FBC, LFT, troponin)
• Plots the results on a Levey-Jennings chart at ±1, ±2, ±3 SD
• Asks you to identify whether the run is in control, warning, or rejected
• Walks you through the matching Westgard rule (1-3s, 2-2s, R-4s, 4-1s, 10x, etc.)
• Shows the Sigma score of the assay and what that implies for QC frequency
• Asks for your action: accept, repeat, escalate, calibrate

Westgard rules covered

• 1-3s — single result outside ±3 SD (random error, reject)
• 2-2s — two consecutive results outside ±2 SD on the same side (systematic error, reject)
• R-4s — range of 4 SD between consecutive results (random error, reject)
• 4-1s — four consecutive results outside ±1 SD on the same side (systematic, reject)
• 10x / 12x — ten/twelve consecutive results on the same side of the mean (systematic, reject)
• 1-2s — single result outside ±2 SD (warning only, not a reject)

Six Sigma context

The simulator shows the Sigma score for each assay and explains how Sigma drives the choice of QC rules:

• Sigma > 6 — minimal rule set (1-3s only)
• Sigma 4-6 — standard Westgard multi-rule
• Sigma < 4 — extended rules + more frequent QC

Bands and competency mapping

• Band 4 / 5 — recognise out-of-control runs, escalate appropriately
• Band 6 / 7 — investigate root causes, select rule sets per analyte, present QC performance at management review

Completed sessions can be attached to your IBMS Specialist Portfolio (Quality Management section) as evidence of QC competence.

Standards alignment

• CLSI EP15-A3 and CLSI EP23-A for QC frequency and design
• ISO 15189:2022 clause 7.3 (Quality control of examination results)
• Westgard QC multi-rule framework (current)
• UK NEQAS for the EQA half of the picture (see article 42)

Common interview question themes

• "Walk me through how you would handle a 2-2s flag on a routine troponin run"
• "How do you decide which Westgard rules to apply to a new method?"
• "How does Sigma scoring affect your QC strategy?"
• "Tell me about a time you investigated a QC trend"

Pair the QC Simulator with the Method Validation Simulator (article 41) — they overlap on rule selection and assay performance.