Guidance on the establishment, implementation and performance for proficiency testing programs for thrombosis and hemostasis

Authors

Richard A. Marlar, Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; TriCore Reference Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA; NASCOLA Organization, Rochester, MN, USA
Piet Meijer, ECAT Foundation, Voorschoten, The Netherlands
Ian Jennings, NEQAS for Blood Coagulation, Sheffield, UK
John Olson, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, San Antonio Texas, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Thrombosis and hemostasis testing is one of the most difficult areas in the clinical laboratory for
obtaining accurate results. With these shortcomings, comparing patient results is sometimes very difficult.
It is extremely important that a good External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) is available to assess the accuracy of the assays and analytes of the coagulation laboratory. The objective of this document is to outline the major requirements of an EQAS for thrombosis and hemostasis testing. This document will discuss the
establishment of an EQAS, the major components necessary for the program, the basic methods to evaluate data and the reporting of results. Reference will be made to International guidelines for proficiency testing schemes. However, these guidelines are directed at all pathology disciplines, so special consideration will be given to how recommendations can be incorporated into External Quality Assessment (EQA) for hemostasis.

Recommended Citation

Marlar RA, Meijer P, Jennings I, Olson J. Guidance on the establishment, implementation and performance for proficiency testing programs for thrombosis and hemostasis. Ann Blood 2020;5:9.