A computer-implemented method for determining failures in laboratory equipment comprising: a) receiving a desired probability of false rejection ({hacek over (P)}fr) and a desired error detection rate ({hacek over (E)}D), such as a desired probability of error detection ({hacek over (P)}ed), relating to one or more QC levels (J) of quality control (QC) samples to be processed by the equipment; b) setting a number of runs (R) to one; c) calculating an error detection rate (ÊD) based at least partially on R; d) determining if ÊD is below {hacek over (E)}D, and if so: increase R by one, and repeat steps c) to d), and if not: define a rule for determining failures in the laboratory equipment based, at least partially, on R; e) receiving or collecting standardized QC results; f) applying the rule defined in step d) to the standardized QC results; g) determining failures in the equipment, if the standardized QC results comply with the rule.