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Related Experiment Videos

Proficiency testing in laboratory medicine: uses and limitations

S Shahangian1

  • 1Division of Laboratory Systems, Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|February 3, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Proficiency testing (PT) indicates laboratory performance but has limitations. Improving PT involves using more quality indicators, blind testing, and biological materials for better laboratory improvement and education.

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Area of Science:

  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Quality Assurance

Background:

  • Proficiency testing (PT) is a key component of laboratory quality assurance.
  • Existing PT practices have documented limitations affecting their utility for laboratory improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Critically review literature on PT effectiveness, uses, and limitations.
  • Explore strategies to enhance the PT process for laboratory improvement.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive MEDLINE literature search from 1987 onwards.
  • Inclusion of selected references from recent review articles.
  • Data abstraction based on relevance to PT in medical laboratory improvement.

Main Results:

  • PT data serve as indicators, not definitive measures, of laboratory performance.

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  • Identified limitations include incomplete process assessment, material differences, performance criteria, and matrix effects.
  • Factors influencing PT performance include experience, environment, workload, and automation.

    • Conclusions:

    • PT is a valuable tool for laboratory improvement and education.
    • Practical and design limitations exist even in well-managed PT programs.
    • Enhancements proposed include integrating PT with other quality indicators, blind testing, and using biological materials.