Sweat analysis proficiency testing for cystic fibrosis

The purpose of this report is to describe the College of American Pathologists sweat testing (SW) proficiency testing program for cystic fibrosis, to evaluate its impact on test performance, and to describe the current practice of sweat testing in North America. The study analyzed participant summary reports of the SW survey from 1994-1998 (SW 94-98) and Proficiency Testing Exception Summary reports from 1996-1998. The data collected from SW 94-98 allowed for the assessment of trends and/or changes in sweat testing practices. The data collected from SW-A 1998 provided a profile of current practices in sweat testing. While the overall performance on the SW survey is encouraging, the program has identified areas of concern. The number of poorly performing laboratories are few in number, yet if the reported results had been patient specimens, the clinical implications would have been significant. The SW survey is meeting its goal of providing feedback to institutions on their performance of sweat analysis and providing educational materials on the total testing process in an effort to improve the quality of sweat testing. Significant changes in practice have occurred in many institutions performing sweat tests, and a greater awareness of analyte identification has resulted.