Final answer:
For blood gas analyzers, quality control includes regular calibration using standardized gases, internal standards checks, proficiency testing, external quality assessments, and accuracy and precision tests. Regular instrument function checks and adherence to ICH guidelines assure high-quality analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quality control in blood gas analyzers involves several key procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results. Regular calibration and maintenance checks are fundamental, typically involving the use of standardized gas mixtures to verify the analyzer's performance. An internal standard (IS) is often used for comparison to ensure measurements are within the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) and to ascertain the preciseness of the readings.
Further quality control methods include proficiency testing by comparing results with established criteria, undergoing external quality assessment programs, and consistently performing accuracy and precision tests, similar to the procedures applied in pharmaceutical practices wherein a chemist checks the dispensing machines for cough syrup volumes.