Task Views
Proficiency Testing
Background
A regular independent assessment of the technical performance of a laboratory is necessary to assure the validity of results, and should be part of an overall quality strategy. A common approach to this assessment is the use of independent proficiency testing (PT) schemes or external quality assessment (EQA) schemes as they are often referred to within the medical sector. A PT scheme is a system for objectively evaluating a laboratory’s performance by the use of external means, and includes regular comparison of a laboratory’s measurement results with those of other laboratories. Regular proficiency testing provides independent feedback on the quality of analytical results, enabling laboratories to monitor and improve performance over time.
Resources
Eurachem provides a range of resources relevant to the implementation and use of proficiency testing:
- The Proficiency Testing working group coordinates Eurachem activity on Proficiency Testing.
- A Guide on Selection, Use and Interpretation of Proficiency Testing (PT) Schemes provides detailed information on:
- aims and benefits of participation in PT schemes;
- selecting the most appropriate PT scheme;
- understanding the basic statistics and performance scoring used by the PT providers;
- using and interpreting the PT results in order to improve the overall performance of the laboratory.
- Several Eurachem Information leaflets provide short, general information on PT, and are available in several different languages
- Proficiency Testing Schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons describes the aims and organisation of PT schemes together with their advantages and limitations.
- How can PT help my laboratory? explains how proficiency testing can help to monitor and improve laboratory quality.
- Selecting the right proficiency testing scheme for my laboratory focuses on key questions that can help laboratories choose those PT schemes best suited for their needs.
- Proficiency testing - how much and how often? helps laboratories select the right balance of areas of work and participation frequency.
- Pre- and post-analytical proficiency testing gives examples of proficiency testing which are intended to provide feedback on the quality of steps preceding and following the measurement itself, such as interpretation of results and assessment of compliance with a standard.
- Proficiency testing schemes for sampling provides some guidance on the application of ISO/IEC 17043 for PT providers organising PT schemes for sampling
- Use of surplus proficiency test items provides advice to laboratories on the benefits and limitations on the use of surplus PT items
- Investigating poor performance in proficiency testing gives advice for laboratories on how to best to investigate when they receive a poor performance evaluation in proficiency testing
- Understanding PT performance assessment is intended to help participants in quantitative proficiency testing (PT) schemes to better understand the performance assessment made by the PT provider.
- Understanding PT statistics is intended to help participants in quantitative PT schemes to better understand the statistical parameters that are used in the PT report to describe the distribution of results reported by participants.
- Let's call a PT scheme a PT scheme! addresses the basic terminology of Interlaboratory comparisons , explaining why some colloquial terms can be misleading or misunderstood, and the importance of harmonisation
- Interlaboratory comparisons other than proficiency testing outlines other types of interlaboratory comparison, other than PT, and points out some of the limitations as compared to PT
- A report is available which summarises activities and responses received in a survey undertaken to gather information about the performance evaluation of non-quantitative proficiency testing (PT) with a view to providing improved guidance on the topic, and support potential harmonisation of approaches to performance evaluation for this type of PT scheme.
- To assist identification of technical information, the PT Working Group and Education Training Working Group maintain a Reading List of key PT publications. A historical Bibliography of PT/EQA Publications, listing over 180 references from 1996-2006, is also available.
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- Category: Task Views
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 November 2024 10:10