Indications for running quality control on a POC instrument:
(1) when bringing the instrument into service (along with calibrators)
(2) according to the laboratory's quality control policy (see below)
(3) when a new bottle of test strips or reagents
(4) when troubleshooting a discrepancy in a test result
(5) after dropping the instrument
(6) after cleaning the instrument
(7) if there is any reason to believe that the instrument may not be working properly
Determinants for a laboratory's quality control policy:
(1) CLIA regulations (stipulating running a control with each test run, each shift, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
(2) presence of a CLIA waiver
(3) presence of an internal control (electronic, other)
(4) manufacturer's instructions
