Semin Thromb Hemost 2007; 33(3): 220-225
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971207
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

External Quality Assurance in Thrombosis and Hemostasis: An International Perspective

John D. Olson1 , F. Eric Preston2 , William L. Nichols3
  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
  • 2University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • 3Divisions of Hematology and Internal Medicine, and Hematopathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
10 April 2007 (online)

ABSTRACT

External Quality Assurance in Thrombosis and Hemostasis (EQATH) was organized in 2005 as an international collaboration of external quality assurance (EQA) programs and organizations with a common interest in improving the quality of hemostasis testing. The goals include exchanging of information regarding program operations; exchanging split specimens among programs to determine if there are differences in practice; participating in value setting of standards; and providing outreach programs to locations in the world without EQA support of hemostasis testing in laboratories. The organization currently includes 11 EQA programs from 10 countries. A survey of program structure and function revealed variation in the size and structure among the programs. In general, the staffing levels paralleled the size and complexity of the program. The number of laboratory participants in the EQA programs ranged from 58 to 1700. The presentation of testing covered in the program (modules) ranged from a program with a single module of a single test, to programs with single modules of many different types of tests, to a program with 13 modules, each of which contains a limited scope of related tests. Participating laboratories were graded (pass/fail or out with consensus) by six of the EQA programs, whereas five programs report the results to the laboratory for self-evaluation. Of the 11 programs responding, seven have deemed status from an accrediting or licensing agency, and successful participation satisfied requirements for accreditation for the participating laboratory. This type of benchmarking activity and cooperative activity among EQA programs will lead to improvement of the programs.

REFERENCES

  • 1 NCCLS .A Quality System Model for Health Care: Approved Guideline. Wayne, PA; NCCLS Document GP26-A 1999
  • 2 Cumming H S, Hazen H H, Sanford F E et al.. Evaluation of serodiagnostic tests for syphilis in the United States: Report of results.  Venereal Disease Information Bulletin. 1935;  16 189
  • 3 Miale J B, LaFond D J. 1963 prothrombin time test survey: College of American Pathologists, Standards Committee, Subcommittee on Coagulation.  Am J Clin Pathol. 1967;  47 40-59
  • 4 Cunningham M T, Brandt J T, Chandler W L et al.. Quality assurance in hemostasis: the perspective from the College of American Pathologists Proficiency Testing Program.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2007;  33 250-258
  • 5 Favaloro E J, Bonar R. Emerging technologies and quality assurance in hemostasis: a review of findings from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2007;  33 235-242
  • 6 Mammen J, Nair S C, Srivastava A. External quality assessment scheme for hemostasis in India.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2007;  33 265-272
  • 7 Jennings I, Kitchen D P, Woods T AL et al.. Emerging technologies and quality assurance: the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme perspective.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2007;  33 243-249
  • 8 Spannagl M, Dick A, Reinauer H. External quality assessment schemes in coagulation in Germany: between regulatory bodies and patient outcomes.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2007;  33 259-264

John D OlsonM.D. Ph.D. 

Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900

Email: olsonj@uthscsa.edu