Three other side effects of this approach are worth mentioning. 1) Levey-Jennings
charts will show much more variation with narrow SDs. This is normal and will enable
the laboratory to spot problems earlier. A flat looking LJ chart is often an indication that
SDs are too wide. 2) The laboratory will likely consume more calibrator, reagent, QC
materials and other consumables, as more problems will be detected and corrected.
Inventories of these items should be monitored carefully. 3) The increased level of error
detection will give more out of control situations which will lead to more documentation
of corrective action taken.