The proficiency testing of platelet counting

Ontario's laboratory professionals have shown that they are able to successfully operate a proficiency testing program by making use of volunteers. The program serves and assists the laboratory directors in their own quality assurance program. The two prime reasons for the success of LPTP are that it is not seen by the professions to be regulatory and that it emphasizes education, not punitive action. Whereas platelet performance below 100 x 10(9)/L is not as accurate as the remainder of the clinical range, most Ontario laboratories seem to perform platelet determinations at clinically acceptable levels.