The national voluntary laboratory accreditation program

Abstract The method of response interpretation for determining dose equivalents of a new multi-element thermoluminescence dosemeter in mixed photon-beta and photon-neutron fields is described. The four TL chips are LiF:Mg,Ti, each covered by its own unique filter. Experiments to determine the response of the dosemeter and to test the dose calibration algorithm were performed according to the standard established by the US Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP). It has been shown that the dosemeter response can be used to identify the mixture type. The accuracy of the system has been proven in blind testing to be well within DOELAP tolerance limits in all test categories.

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

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2005-129-186-dacosl ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 129 (2) ◽

pp. 186-189

Author(s):

Gerald A. Hoeltge ◽

Mari Gina Phillips ◽

Patricia E. Styer ◽

Peter Mockridge

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Test ◽

Proficiency Testing ◽

Laboratory Accreditation ◽

Educational Materials ◽

The Third ◽

Accreditation Program ◽

Accredited Laboratories

Abstract Context.—The Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College of American Pathologists monitors the performance of its subscribers in proficiency testing (PT). Failure to perform as expected prompts the program to query the laboratory. Objective.—To determine whether laboratories are correcting apparent problems when contacted by the program about repeatedly unacceptable performance in a diagnostic test. Design.—Retrospective analysis of 1 year's records (2002–2003) from the College's Proficiency Testing Exception Summary correspondence, which identifies clusters of PT failures. The analysis focused on those laboratories in which the Proficiency Testing Exception Summary algorithm identified repeated failures over 3 or 4 testing events; PT performance is monitored as a condition of accreditation. During 1 survey year, approximately 6300 accredited laboratories collectively tested approximately 1 205 000 analytes and submitted results to their PT providers on more than 3 500 000 PT challenges. During the period of observation, 14 085 Proficiency Testing Exception Summary reports were mailed to participants. Educational materials were included to help laboratories identify and correct each PT failure. Results.—There were only 1304 cases of repeated PT failures after the initial correspondence from the accreditation program (9.3%). Of these, there were only 119 cases of unsatisfactory results on the subsequent PT event (9.1%). All systematic problems were resolved by the conclusion of the third round of correspondence. Conclusions.—Accredited laboratories generally perform well in proficiency testing. Identification of clusters of PT failures by the accreditation provider can help those laboratories having analytic difficulties to investigate and correct the problems.

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Evolution of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program Procedures

Evaluation and Accreditation of Inspection and Test Activities ◽

10.1520/stp28559s ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 85-85-11

Author(s):

PS Unger

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Accreditation ◽

Accreditation Program

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Quality and the College of American Pathologists

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/arpa.2011-0287-sa ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 135 (11) ◽

pp. 1441-1441 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Timothy Craig Allen ◽

M Elizabeth H. Hammond ◽

Stanley J. Robboy

Keyword(s):

Patient Care ◽

Proficiency Testing ◽

Laboratory Medicine ◽

Laboratory Accreditation ◽

Site Specific ◽

Testing Program ◽

Patent Quality ◽

Accreditation Program ◽

Specific Cancer ◽

Medicine Quality

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is dedicated to pathology and laboratory medicine quality. The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program, Proficiency Testing Program, Q-Probes and Q-Tracks, site-specific cancer checklists, webinars, annual meetings, and Advanced Practical Pathology series are all focused on providing superior patent quality. The CAP is synonymous with quality in pathology and laboratory medicine. As pathology practice becomes more sophisticated, the CAP's many programs will increasingly help pathologists provide appropriate, personalized patient care.

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