Lessons from the organization of a proficiency testing program in food microbiology by interlaboratory comparison: Analytical methods in use, impact of methods on bacterial counts and measurement uncertainty of bacterial counts

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Christophe Augustin ◽  
Vincent Carlier
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Uncertainty ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Interlaboratory Comparison ◽  
Food Microbiology ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Bacterial Counts

scholarly journals French Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Food Microbiology

2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 952-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Christophe Augustin ◽  
Vincent Carlier
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Food Microbiology ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
French Laboratory ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus

Abstract The proficiency testing program in food microbiology (Réseau d' Analyses et d'Echanges en Microbiologie des Aliments; RAEMA), created in 1988, currently includes 440 participating laboratories. The program establishes proficiency in detection of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as quantitation of aerobic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Twice a year, 5 test samples are sent to participants to assess their precision and trueness for enumeration and detection of microorganisms. Results show an increasing involvement of food microbiology laboratories in quality assurance programs and use of standard and validated analytical methods. However, the percentage of laboratories obtaining questionable and unsatisfactory microbiological results remains relatively onstant.

scholarly journals International Interlaboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Measurement of Azole Antifungal Plasma Concentrations

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. M. Brüggemann ◽  
Daan J. Touw ◽  
Rob E. Aarnoutse ◽  
Paul E. Verweij ◽  
David M. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Azole Antifungals

ABSTRACT An international interlaboratory proficiency testing program for the measurement of antifungal drugs was initiated in 2007. This first round was limited to azole antifungals: fluconazole, itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. The results demonstrate the need for and utility of an ongoing proficiency testing program to further improve the analytical methods for routine patient management and clinical research.

Automatic Failure in Gynecologic Cytology Proficiency Testing

2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (11) ◽  
pp. 1757-1760
Author(s):  
Ann T. Moriarty ◽  
Barbara A. Crothers ◽  
Joel S. Bentz ◽  
Rhona J. Souers ◽  
Lisa A. Fatheree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Interlaboratory Comparison ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Small Component ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
High Grade Lesion ◽  
Intraepithelial Lesion ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Context.—Automatic failure in gynecologic cytology proficiency testing occurs when a high-grade lesion or carcinoma (HSIL+, Category D) is misinterpreted as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (Category B). Objectives.—To document the automatic failure rate in 2006 and 2007 from the College of American Pathologists proficiency testing program (PAP PT) and compare them to projected values from 2004. Design.—Identify automatic failures from PAP PT in 2006 and 2007 and compare the rates of failure regarding participant and preparation type to validated slides in the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in 2004. Results.—There were 65 264 participant responses for HSIL+ slides included in this analysis from 2006 and 2007. Overall, 1% (666 of 65 264) of the HSIL+ responses were classified as negative, resulting in automatic failure for the participant. There were significantly fewer automatic failures in 2007 as compared with either 2006 or projected from 2004 data (P < .001). Conventional preparations had a lower automatic failure rate than liquid-based preparations but only for 2006. Both pathologists and cytotechnologists interpreting liquid-based preparations faired better than projected from 2004 data. Conclusions.—The automatic failure rate in PAP PT is lower than expected based on 2004 data from the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program. Automatic failures are a relatively small component (1% or less) of proficiency testing failures. The rate of automatic failure decreased from 2006 to 2007 and may be due to loss of poor performers in the testing pool, the test-taking environment, or removal of less robust slides from the program.

Estimation of uncertainty in olfactometry

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 1409-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Higuchi
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Uncertainty ◽  
Interlaboratory Comparison ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Estimation Procedure ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Standard Uncertainty ◽  
Expanded Uncertainty ◽  
Collaborative Test ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Estimation Of Uncertainty

Estimation of uncertainty in odour measurement is essential to the interpretation of the measurement results. The fundamental procedure for the estimation of measurement uncertainty comprises the specification of the measurement process, expression of the measurement model and all influences, evaluation of the standard uncertainty of each component, calculation of the combined standard uncertainty, determination of a coverage factor, calculation of the expanded uncertainty and reporting. Collaborative study such as interlaboratory comparison of olfactometry yields performance indicators of the measurement method including repeatability and reproducibility. Therefore, the use of collaborative test results for measurement uncertainty estimation according to ISO/TS 21748 and ISO 20988 is effective and reasonable. Measurement uncertainty of the triangular odour bag method was estimated using interlaboratory comparison data from 2003 to 2007 on the basis of the simplest model of statistical analysis, and the expanded uncertainty of odour index ranged between 3.1 and 6.7. On the basis of the establishment of the estimation procedure for uncertainty, a coherent interpretation method for the measurement results will be proposed and more effective and practical quality control of olfactometry will be available.

Results of the Center for Disease Control Proficiency Testing Program for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen

1976 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39
Author(s):  
R N Taylor ◽  
K M Fulford
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Passive Hemagglutination ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness

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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