New coordinator named for North American Proficiency Testing Program

The changes in the types and numbers of tests used by participants in the Center for Disease Control Proficiency Testing Program for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen from the beginning of the program in 1971 until October 1975 are analyzed; the implications of these changes are discussed. Changes in the use of agar gel diffusion, rheophoresis, counterelectrophoresis, complement fixation, reverse passive latex agglutination, radioimmunoassay, and reverse passive hemagglutination tests are reviewed. The performance of the participants for 1975 is reported, and factors related to performance (type or combinations of tests used, procedures used to confirm specificity, etc.) are discussed. The increase in the use of third-generation tests in place of tests with lower sensitivity and the decrease in the use of multiple tests undoubtedly represent increased efficiency and effectiveness.

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107 Workshop: “ISBER’s Proficiency Testing Program”

Cryobiology ◽

10.1016/j.cryobiol.2013.09.113 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 67 (3) ◽

pp. 428

Author(s):

Fay Betsu

Keyword(s):

Proficiency Testing ◽

Testing Program

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Variability in Testing for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies: A Survey of Participants in the College of American Pathologists Proficiency Testing Program

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/arpa.2015-0221-cp ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 140 (6) ◽

pp. 524-528

Author(s):

William J. Karlon ◽

Stanley J. Naides ◽

John T. Crosson ◽

Mohammad Qasim Ansari

Keyword(s):

Proficiency Testing ◽

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies ◽

Testing Program ◽

Acceptable Alternative ◽

Disease States ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

Testing Algorithms ◽

Testing Practices ◽

Current Guidelines ◽

Multiplex Bead

Context.—Variability in testing for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) contributes to confusion and controversy related to testing for vasculitis and other ANCA-associated diseases. Objectives.—To survey laboratory testing practices regarding ANCA testing and to investigate differences in testing algorithms. Design.—Supplemental questions were sent to the 333 laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists proficiency testing program for ANCA as part of the Special Immunology S2 Survey. Results.—A total of 315 laboratories submitted responses to the supplemental questions. Only 88 of 315 participants (28%) reported using a combination of indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques as recommended by current guidelines, with a few additional labs using IFA and multiplex bead assay as an acceptable alternative to EIA. Other labs reported using only IFA, EIA, or multiplex bead assays. Conclusions.—A wide variety of testing algorithms are in use for ANCA testing despite evidence to suggest that a combination of IFA and EIA testing provides the most comprehensive information. Laboratories should inform clinicians clearly about testing practices and utility of testing in specific disease states.

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Center for disease control diagnostic immunology proficiency testing program results for 1976

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.6.3.224-232.1977 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 224-232

Author(s):

R N Taylor ◽

K M Fulford ◽

A Przybyszewski ◽

V Pope

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Proficiency Testing ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Testing Program ◽

Proficiency Levels ◽

Clinical Laboratories ◽

Individual Laboratory ◽

Specific Proteins ◽

Overall Performance ◽

Testing Protocols

Over 900 laboratories participated in the Diagnostic Immunology portion of the 1976 Proficiency Testing Program, which was provided by the Center of Disease Control under the authority of the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of 1967. One hundred specimens prepared by the Center for Disease Control for analysis were distributed on a quarterly schedule or in special surveys. Feedback from participating laboratories included over 37,500 qualitative and 33,000 quantitative responses, which were analyzed to determine individual laboratory proficiency levels. In addition, information supplied by participants in each survey helped to delineate trends in testing protocols. The specimens chosen for analysis called for a broad range of tests commonly performed in diagnostic immunology laboratories, including those for rubella antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen, bacterial antibodies, rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins and other serum-specific proteins, and carcinoembryonic antigen. A summary of the data analysis is provided so that the laboratories can improve their overall performance levels.

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