Detection and Correction of Systematic Laboratory Problems by Analysis of Clustered Proficiency Testing Failures

摘要: Abstract Context.—The Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College American Pathologists monitors performance its subscribers in proficiency testing (PT). Failure to perform as expected prompts program query laboratory. Objective.—To determine whether laboratories are correcting apparent problems when contacted by about repeatedly unacceptable a diagnostic test. Design.—Retrospective analysis 1 year's records (2002–2003) from College's Proficiency Testing Exception Summary correspondence, which identifies clusters PT failures. The focused on those algorithm identified repeated failures over 3 or 4 events; is monitored condition accreditation. During survey year, approximately 6300 accredited collectively tested 1 205 000 analytes and submitted results their providers more than 3 500 000 challenges. Duri...