In the laboratory testing business it is always important to know that test results generated by a testing device are accurate. To establish that a testing device is accurate, professional laboratories will test “controls.” Controls are specimens or devices that will produce a test result of a known value.

There are different types of controls for different testing devices. Examples of controls include: liquid, electronic, on-board, procedural and sensors. The INRatio monitor uses on-board controls. The manufacturer will provide the “known values” of the controls to the patients and caregivers. When the control test results are reported as the known values specified by the manufacturer, the testing device is considered to be accurate.

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