In reference interval transference studies, what is the primary purpose?

In reference interval transference studies, what is the primary purpose?

• A. Verify a reference interval
• B. Establish a reference interval
• C. Require as many as 120 normal donors
• D. Use a 68% reference limit for acceptability

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to verify a reference interval in your lab rather than create a new one. In transference studies, you take an interval that was established elsewhere (another lab or instrument) and check whether it applies to your own population and method. You do this by testing a small group of healthy individuals with the same assay; if most results fall within the published interval, you can adopt it for your lab. If they don’t, a local interval may need to be established, which requires a larger sample, typically around 120 healthy donors, and a formal method to derive the 95% central range. The 68% limit is not the standard used for reference intervals; the conventional goal is the 95% central interval.

The main idea is to verify a reference interval in your lab rather than create a new one. In transference studies, you take an interval that was established elsewhere (another lab or instrument) and check whether it applies to your own population and method. You do this by testing a small group of healthy individuals with the same assay; if most results fall within the published interval, you can adopt it for your lab. If they don’t, a local interval may need to be established, which requires a larger sample, typically around 120 healthy donors, and a formal method to derive the 95% central range. The 68% limit is not the standard used for reference intervals; the conventional goal is the 95% central interval.