Call for Genetics Cases for EQA Genetics Testing Program's Image Bank

The EQA Genetics Testing Program requests submission of Cytogenetic cases (TIFF files) to create an image bank.

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.

Introduction of revised scoring scheme for External Quality Assessment (EQA) Genetics surveys

Since the launch of a new EQA scoring scheme in 2008, most EQA disciplines have introduced performance scores for the evaluation of performance on EQA surveys. The aim of these scoring schemes is to provide a transparent, objective and consistent approach in the identification of areas of concern. Scores relate to action items, for example an internal laboratory investigation of discordant results or submission of an investigation of discordant results to QMP–LS. Performance is tracked electronically resulting in the issuance of an annual multidisciplinary Performance Summary Report for each participant laboratory. With the implementation of scoring for genetics surveys, genetics will be included in the Performance Summary Report issued in 2012.