Inter-Laboratory Comparisons and EQA in the Mediterranean Area

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Laboratory Medicine
• Quality Management in Healthcare

Background:

• Proficiency Testing (PT) and External Quality Control (EQA) programs are vital for ensuring analytical quality, method standardization, and result harmonization in laboratories.
• These schemes are a prerequisite for laboratory accreditation under the ISO/IEC 15189 standard.
• The IFCC Committee on Proficiency Testing (C-PT) aimed to assess the landscape of EQA-PT providers and practices in Mediterranean countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the status of EQA-PT providers in the Mediterranean region.
• To assess the acceptance and implementation challenges of EQA-PT schemes among laboratories in this area.
• To understand the impact of accreditation requirements on EQA-PT participation.

Main Methods:

• A survey was electronically distributed to colleagues in Mediterranean countries, including IFCC National Representatives and EQA-PT providers.
• Responses were collected from 59 participants representing 17 out of 23 countries in the Mediterranean area.
• Data analysis focused on the application of EQA-PT rules and reasons for participation.

Main Results:

• A broad disparity was observed in the application of External Quality Control programs and Proficiency Testing schemes across laboratories in Mediterranean countries.
• Laboratory accreditation is not mandatory in most of these nations.
• The lack of mandatory accreditation diminishes the perceived necessity for laboratories to participate in EQA-PT schemes.

Conclusions:

• There are significant variations in the implementation and adherence to EQA-PT schemes within Mediterranean laboratories.
• The non-mandatory nature of laboratory accreditation in the region appears to be a key factor influencing participation in EQA-PT programs.
• Further efforts may be needed to emphasize the importance of EQA-PT for quality improvement, even in the absence of mandatory accreditation.