Notice to EQA Pathology participants - PATH-1305-IHC and PATH-1305-SS postponed

Due to lack of readily available tissue samples the PATH-1305 -HC and PATH-1305-SS surveys have been postponed. The PATH-1305 and PATH-1309-IHC and PATH-1309-SS surveys will be combined and shipped together on September 3, 2013 as PATH-1309-IHC and PATH-1309-SS.

Notice to 2012 and 2013 EQA Cytology participants: CYTO-1305-PP Patterns-of-Practice survey

A short QMP−LS Cytology patterns-of-practice survey (CYTO-1305-PP) is being conducted to determine the impact of recent changes to Cytology screening guidelines on Cytology laboratories in Ontario. On May 13, 2013, the Analysis Worksheet for the survey will be posted in the QView™ site of all Cytology laboratories that were licensed for Cytology in 2012 and/or 2013.

All Ontario Cytology laboratories that held licenses in 2012 and/or 2013 are expected to participate. The survey is due May 27, 2013. An email notice regarding this survey will be sent to all persons who have requested information on Cytology EQA or general QMP−LS information. 

If you have any questions regarding this survey please contact:

Tammy Ashfield
Consultant Technologist, EQA
Email: ashfield@qmpls.org
Phone: (416) 323-9540 ext. 262.

Notice to present and past Cytology EQA survey participants

A short QMP−LS Cytology patterns-of-practice survey (CYTO-1305-PP) is being conducted to determine the impact of recent changes to Cytology screening guidelines on Cytology laboratories in Ontario. On May 13, 2013, the analysis worksheet for the survey will be posted in the QView™ site of all Cytology laboratories that were licensed for Cytology in 2012 and/or 2013. All Ontario Cytology laboratories that held licenses in 2012 and/or 2013 are expected to participate. The survey is due May 27, 2013. An email notice regarding this survey will be sent to all persons who have requested information on Cytology EQA or general QMP−LS information. 

If you have any questions regarding this survey please contact Tammy Ashfield at ashfield@qmpls.org or (416) 323-9540 ext. 262.

QMP–LS Announces Changes to EQA Material Replacement Requests

The External Quality Assessment (EQA) division of QMP–LS has revised the process for participants to request replacement and retest testing material. The changes are in accordance with the QMP–LS lean initiative and were proposed to expedite customer service. Going forward, participants will complete and submit an online EQA Material Replacement Request form that will streamline the current process for both the participant and QMP–LS staff. Single samples or sets from a particular survey are usually available at no charge to participants who may wish to check aberrant results. We reserve the right to ask why repeat samples are needed and limit supply if this would compromise the service to other participants. Beginning January 14, 2013 participants should only request EQA testing material using the online form and not by email or telephone.

EQA Quantitative Survey Reports – Description of the New Reports

As reported in the December 2012 QMP–LS News, quantitative survey reports have a new look. Changes were made to enhance review and to provide additional information. The Comprehensive and the Concise Survey Reports have been combined and new statistical parameters added. Changes to the reports and details on how to use the supplementary information can be found in the document:

New Description of New EQA Survey Reports 

Quantitative Survey Reports – New Reports for a New Year

As of January 2013, survey reports for all quantitative surveys will have a new look and provide practical supplementary information. Currently, there are three survey reports for each quantitative survey: the Comprehensive Survey Report, the Concise Survey Report and the Cumulative Performance Report. The Comprehensive Survey Report provides the laboratory a comparison of their results to the acceptable values, statistical information on all methods accessed and a histogram for a pictorial representation. The Concise Survey Report provides a short summary of the laboratory’s results compared to their peer group. Some laboratories print this concise version for management review. The Cumulative Performance Report summarizes survey results from previous surveys and highlights discordant results to indicate action is required.

EQA Survey Cancellation: Digital Morphology

The following digital morphology survey has been cancelled

Survey	Shipped
CYTO-1301-DM	January 18, 2013

A similar announcement in QMP–LS News will be published if these surveys are to be rescheduled later in 2013.

For inquiries, contact the Hematology Consultant Technologist at 416-323-9540 ext. 262 or email ashfield@qmpls.org.

EQA Survey Cancellation: Digital Morphology

The following digital morphology surveys have been cancelled:

 A similar announcement in QMP–LS News will be published if these surveys are to be rescheduled later in 2013.

For inquiries, contact the Hematology Consultant Technologist at 416-323-9540 ext. 264 or email raby@qmpls.org.

Field Evaluation of a Grading Scheme for QMP–LS Interpretive Surveys

QMP–LS EQA surveys such as Cytology and Hematology Bone Marrow, which are considered to be interpretive (responses require diagnostic opinions) and components of surveys that contain diagnostic statements (e.g. Morphology) are not currently subject to performance scores, nor is performance evaluated.  While these surveys are funded in Ontario through the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the interpretive component is considered to be voluntary. Unlike the mandatory surveys in Ontario, the results of these surveys are reported to participants and they have no obligation to investigate discordant results and report back to QMP–LS scientific committees; it is each participant’s responsibility to implement corrective action as deemed necessary.  However, these surveys do not technically meet the Ontario Laboratory Accreditation (OLA) criteria for acceptable EQA Programs. As indicated on the QMP–LS website under the Ontario Laboratory Accreditation section on appropriate EQA/PT Providers.

Notice to Cytology EQA Survey Participants

An e-notice for the Cytology Patterns-of-Practice survey (CYTO-1209-PP) will be sent to all persons who have requested information on Cytology EQA or general QMP-LS information.  This notice will be sent on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, the  day the analysis worksheet is posted on QView™.  The survey is due September 18, 2012 at midnight.

The survey instructions will not be sent in regular mail.  Participants will access the survey documents through QView™.

Licensed Ontario laboratories are expected to participate in this survey. Individual laboratory performance is not assessed through information gathered, however, the scientific committee may communicate with laboratories if inappropriate or irregular practice is observed.

QMP–LS EQA/PT Testing Surveys available through IQMH

Review of Allowable Performance Limits for Quantitative Surveys

External Quality Assessment (EQA) and Proficiency Testing (PT) providers are required  to periodically review allowable limits of performance (ALPs) set for quantitative schemes to confirm appropriate evaluation of participant performance.  Most performance limits are based on achievable performance of methods being used; a few, such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) or cholesterol, are based on clinical needs. 

PT Surveys now available online

Interested in participating in QMP–LS’ proficiency testing surveys? Our distributor, IQMH, provides access to QMP–LS' comprehensive external quality assessment programs, designed to promote optimal patient care, test reliability and performance improvement through the use of authentic or simulated clinical material, comprehensive reports and interactive educational feedback.

 
Learn more about Proficiency Testing Surveys>>

QMP–LS Announces its 2012–13 External Quality Assessment Program

The External Quality Assessment (EQA) division of QMP–LS has planned 111 challenge surveys and 7 dry/web-based challenges associated with red cell disorders, coagulation, bone marrow examination, morphology and transfusion medicine for Ontario participants for the year April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013. There are 4 patterns-of-practice surveys associated with the following:

• Quality indicators in microbiology
• Validation of abnormal spurious hematology results, new parameters, uncertainty of measurement, etc.
• Use of new techniques in genetics laboratories
• Trends in cytology

EQA Parameters Monitored in 2012/13

The External Quality Assessment program will monitor the following parameters in 2012/13.

Morphology Survey MORP-1201-SB Rescheduled

The Morphology survey MORP-1201-SB, which was scheduled for distribution the week of January 16, has been rescheduled to be distributed the week of February 6 and renamed MORP-1202-SB. However, MORP-1201-DM will be distributed as originally scheduled.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this survey, please contact Anne Raby at 416-323-9540 ext. 264 or email raby@qmpls.org

Change of Parameters Monitored effective January 2012

Beginning January 2012, QMP–LS' EQA Hematology program will no longer monitor the following parameters:

• Factor V Leiden
• Prothrombin gene mutation
• Anticardiolipin

Performance Evaluation of Interpretive EQA Surveys

The aim External Quality Assessment is to provide each participant with an assessment of performance in comparison with peers. During the past three years, QMP–LS has implemented the use of performance scores for the majority of EQA surveys but until now, performance scores have not been introduced for surveys such as Cytology, Hematology Bone Marrow and the diagnostic component of Morphology.

EQA File Structure in QView™ Revised

Feedback received from participants over the past few years has identified room for improvement in the QView™ General EQA file structure. On Sept. 23 this was revised to improve the accessibility of files and overall user-friendliness of the file structure.

A New Distribution Centre for QMP-LS EQA Survey Material

QMP–LS is pleased to announce that we are subcontracting with Gamma Dynacare Medical Laboratories (GDML) for the packaging and distribution of EQA survey material for chemistry, hematology and transfusion medicine.

Introduction of EQA performance summary reports

By Jane Gun-Munro, Director, External Quality Assessment

QMP–LS is pleased to introduce a new EQA report, the performance summary report. This report will be issued to participants annually and, unlike other survey reports, this report is multidisciplinary, encompassing all QMP–LS discipline surveys for which the laboratory is a participant. It is intended for use by laboratory management to understand overall performance of the laboratory and to identify areas for improvement. It is also a useful document for management review or quality assurance purposes.

An accurate assessment of laboratory performance in EQA requires responses to be measured over time. The introduction of performance scores in 2008–9 facilitated objective assessment of performance that could be measured. It also allowed QMP–LS to introduce cumulative reports by survey, to track performance over time and identify patterns or trends e.g., method bias, continued problems in testing for antimicrobial resistance etc., as well as understand whether or not corrective action had been effective.

EQA Participant Satisfaction Survey summary now available on QView™

During the past five years, QMP–LS has made several significant changes to the External Quality Assessment (EQA) program, including the use of web-based worksheets, reports and discordant findings investigations and the introduction of performance scores for evaluation of performance. In making these changes, our goal was to provide our participants with a world-class program. In order to understand the acceptance of these changes and to improve our services, we invited our participants to complete an anonymous Participant Satisfaction Survey created in SurveyMonkey. An email notice with a link to the questionnaire was sent on Nov. 26, 2010 to 1261 participants whose email addresses are in the QMP–LS database. Five hundred thirty (42%) participants responded by the due date of December 13, 2010.