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A framework for evaluating the frequency of external quality assessment challenges
Wim Coucke1, Mohamed Rida Soumali1, Peter Graham2
1Sciensano - Quality of laboratories, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.
Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|January 15, 2022
Summary
External Quality Assessment (EQA) frequency can be optimized. While correlated results reduce sample information, this study found no detrimental effect on laboratory performance evaluation with more frequent EQA rounds.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Laboratory Medicine
- Quality Assurance
Background:
- Optimal frequency for External Quality Assessment (EQA) rounds is not clearly defined.
- Increased EQA frequency can improve response times and statistical reliability.
- Additional samples provide more data, but inter-sample correlation can diminish information gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative framework for evaluating the impact of EQA frequency and sample number.
- To assess the effect of sample correlation on the information obtained from EQA schemes.
- To determine if increased EQA frequency negatively impacts laboratory performance evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ALT and Albumin data from the RCPAQAP EQA scheme.
- Laboratories analyzed two samples every two weeks.
- Calculated sample result correlation to assess the ability to differentiate laboratory performance and estimate sample negation.
Main Results:
- Sample correlation led to some sample negation, but less than 50% of samples were negated.
- A positive relationship was observed between the degree of correlation and the number of negated samples.
- Higher correlation was found for analyses conducted closer in time.
Conclusions:
- A quantitative method was proposed to evaluate the effects of increasing EQA rounds or samples.
- While correlation exists and is stronger for temporally proximate analyses, it did not impair the accurate evaluation of laboratories in the studied cases.
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