Adapting statistical process control of incorporate demerit systems as a surveillance tool for hepatic dysfunction

Many health care organizations (military and civilian) collect large quantities of clinical information without much thought to subsequent application. In this paper, a screening technique based on standard quality control methods to help manage this situation is proposed. A military installation in the mid-western United States with 76 work zones was analyzed using up to six years worth of blood test data. Work zones, occupational areas with common exposures, were analyzed using statistical process control methods; both standard control charts and demerit control charts were used to make a comparison of different graphical displays for medical surveillance.