General Quality Controls for Multi-Discipline Laboratory Testing
General quality controls for laboratories running combined analyzer menus - multi-analyte chemistry and immunoassay controls, urine chemistry controls and whole-blood controls from Bio-Rad Liquichek and Lyphochek, Randox and Technopath. Supplied at normal and abnormal levels in serum, urine and whole-blood matrices, in assayed and unassayed formats matched to the analyzer and reagent system. Level configuration and analyte coverage are listed per product with lot-specific documentation. Wholesale case pricing and standing order programs for laboratory procurement, materials management and licensed distributors.
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General Quality Controls for Multi-Discipline Testing
General quality controls are the broad multi-analyte and single-analyte control materials that span more than one testing discipline or that fall outside the dedicated chemistry, immunoassay, hematology and coagulation groups. This category stocks combined chemistry and immunoassay controls, urine chemistry controls, whole-blood controls and general assayed and unassayed materials at normal and abnormal levels. Products are supplied at wholesale case pricing for hospital, reference and physician-office laboratories.
General Control Types Stocked
- Multi-analyte combined controls - Controls covering chemistry and immunoassay analytes in a single material to consolidate daily QC for laboratories running combined menus.
- Urine chemistry controls - Controls for urinalysis chemistry and quantitative urine analytes at normal and abnormal levels.
- Whole-blood general controls - Controls formatted for whole-blood testing where the matrix must match the patient sample type.
- Assayed general controls - Materials with published target values and ranges for named analyzers and methods.
- Unassayed general controls - Materials without assigned values, used where a laboratory establishes its own statistical limits.
Widely stocked lines include Bio-Rad Liquichek and Lyphochek multi-analyte control products and Randox and Technopath multi-analyte control materials, matched to the analyzer and reagent system in use.
General Control Formats Compared
| Control Type | Matrix | Value Assignment | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-analyte combined | Serum-based | Assayed | Consolidated daily QC across menus |
| Urine chemistry | Urine-based | Assayed | Quantitative urine analyte QC |
| Whole-blood | Whole-blood matrix | Assayed or unassayed | Matrix-matched whole-blood testing |
| Unassayed general | Serum-based | Lab-established | Labs setting their own ranges |
Matrix and Value Assignment
General controls are supplied in matrices matched to the patient sample type, with serum-based, urine-based and whole-blood formats available across the range. Assayed products carry manufacturer target values and ranges for named analyzers, while unassayed products carry none so the laboratory sets its own mean and range. Level configuration and analyte coverage are listed per product, and lots are scheduled to overlap so that established means carry across lot transitions.
General multi-analyte controls are among the highest-volume QC lines in a consolidated laboratory because a single material can cover much of the daily chemistry and immunoassay menu, which makes case pricing and supply continuity important for materials management. Because these controls are lot-linked and run every shift, procurement teams schedule them as standing orders tied to reagent lot cycles. MAP Medical supplies general quality controls in case quantities for laboratory accounts. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are general quality controls used for?
General quality controls are broad multi-analyte and single-analyte materials that span more than one testing discipline or that fall outside the dedicated chemistry, immunoassay, hematology and coagulation groups. They include combined chemistry and immunoassay controls, urine chemistry controls and whole-blood controls. Laboratories use them to consolidate daily QC across combined analyzer menus.
What is the difference between assayed and unassayed general controls?
Assayed general controls ship with manufacturer target values and acceptable ranges for named analyzers and methods, so the laboratory compares results against the assay sheet. Unassayed general controls carry no assigned values, so the laboratory establishes its own mean and range from repeated runs. Both are stocked in this category, and the choice follows the laboratory's QC program and preference for manufacturer versus lab-established limits.
Why does control matrix matter?
Matrix is the base material of the control, such as serum, urine or whole blood. Matching the control matrix to the patient sample type helps the control behave on the analyzer the way patient samples do. This category stocks serum-based, urine-based and whole-blood general controls so laboratories can match the material to the test being monitored. The matrix is listed per product.
Can laboratories order general quality controls in bulk?
Yes. General quality controls are stocked in case quantities for hospital laboratories, reference and independent labs, physician-office labs and licensed distributors. Standing order programs align control lots with reagent lot cycles so that high-volume daily QC materials never gap. Contact our procurement team for tiered case pricing and standing order setup.
What general controls should be included in a laboratory formulary?
A general QC formulary typically includes a multi-analyte combined control covering the routine chemistry and immunoassay menu at two or three levels, a urine chemistry control where urinalysis is offered, and whole-blood or unassayed materials where the lab requires a matched matrix or self-established ranges. Composition follows the analyzer roster and test menu. MAP Medical builds consolidated QC formulary packages matched to platform and volume - contact our team for an assessment.