The introduction of new analytical methods is one of the key activities in medical laborato-ries, in addition to continuous quality assurance. It is important that we choose only scien-tifically proven methods. When introducing a new method into routine use, we must first perform verification of the measurement procedure, comparing different methods of analy-sis or analyzers. In our case, we decided to benchmark two active substances, vancomycin and digoxin, with two different analyzers.
The main aim of the master's thesis was to prove the comparability of the results of the parallel analyzes of vancomycin and digoxin concentrations in the same serum samples, carried out with two different analyzers located at the General Hospital Novo mesto and Krško Health Center, both using chemiluminescence for the detection method. Selected statistical tests were used to determine the comparability of the results and thus to check the adequacy of the tested methods. We used linear regression analysis, Pass-Bablok re-gression and Bland Altman method. At the same time, we determined the measurement accuracy and correctness with the experimental 5x5 model.
We found good comparability of measurements and confirmed the usefulness of the re-sults, regardless of which analyzer we obtained them from. Using the 5x5 experimental model, we demonstrated that the methods for the determination of vancomycin and digoxin do not deviate from the recommended reference values. In addition, we analyzed and presented in greater detail 6 clinical cases of vancomycin-treated patients in which both serum concentrations of the active substance and values of inflammatory parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) were simultaneously determined. Both inflammatory parameters are useful in monitoring the success of vancomycin therapy.
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