scholarly journals Measuring breathability and bacterial filtration efficiency of face masks in the pandemic context: a round robin study with proficiency testing among non-accredited laboratories

Measurement ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 110481
Author(s):  
Francesco Tessarolo ◽  
Giandomenico Nollo ◽  
Luca Benedetti ◽  
Fabrizia Helfer ◽  
Luigi Rovati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Filtration Efficiency ◽  
Round Robin ◽  
Accredited Laboratories

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

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.

Participation of Accredited Laboratories in Proficiency Testing Schemes and Interlaboratory Comparisons

2015 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siniša Delčev ◽  
Jelena Gučević ◽  
Vukan Ogrizović
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Interlaboratory Comparisons ◽  
Proficiency Testing Schemes ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Accredited Laboratories ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Calibration Laboratories ◽  
Pt Schemes

This paper presents the elements of metrology laboratory accreditation for calibration in the scope of calibration E-05 Dimensions, and calibration for the subject: the distance and angle measures. During the accreditation, but also in its maintenance, calibration laboratories must prove their competence. Each laboratory must have the quality management procedures for monitoring the validity of the calibrations performed. This monitoring shall be planned and reviewed through: internal quality control, participation in the interlaboratory comparisons or proficiency testing schemes, repeated calibrations using the same or different methods, re-calibration of the saved samples and correlation of results for different characteristics of the sample. According to the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard, competence is proved by participating in interlaboratory comparisons or participation in Proficiency testing (PT) schemes. This paper aims to stimulate discussion and debate about ways of proving competence of calibration laboratories. We believe that, in the interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025, the laboratory can demonstrate competence by participating in any activity, PT schemes or interlaboratory comparisons, and they are equal to this need. The procedure and the results of the interlaboratory comparisons between two accredited laboratories will be described.

External quality assessment: best practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 651-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
David James ◽  
Darren Ames ◽  
Berenice Lopez ◽  
Rachel Still ◽  
Wiliam Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
External Quality Assessment ◽  
External Quality ◽  
Accredited Laboratories ◽  
Eqa Schemes

There is a requirement for accredited laboratories to participate in external quality assessment (EQA) schemes, but there is wide variation in understanding as to what is required by the laboratories and scheme providers in fulfilling this. This is not helped by a diversity of language used in connection with EQA; Proficiency testing (PT), EQA schemes, and EQA programmes, each of which have different meanings and offerings in the context of improving laboratory quality.We examine these differences, and identify what factors are important in supporting quality within a clinical laboratory and what should influence the choice of EQA programme. Equally as important is how EQA samples are handled within the laboratory, and how the information provided by the EQA programme is used.EQA programmes are a key element of a laboratory's quality assurance framework, but laboratories should have an understanding of what their EQA programmes are capable of demonstrating, how they should be used within the laboratory, and how they support quality. EQA providers should be clear as to what type of programme they provide – PT, EQA Scheme or EQA Programme.

Proficiency testing as the key element in implementing EN13275 olfactometry

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1649-1655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton P. Van Harreveld ◽  
Dietmar Mannebeck ◽  
Björn Maxeiner
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Reasonable Expectation ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
False Sense ◽  
Accredited Laboratories ◽  
Minimum Criteria ◽  
Dynamic Olfactometry

The technical standard for dynamic olfactometry EN13725:2003 is now widely applied in testing of odours for environmental management purposes. Many laboratories working in this field apply QA/QC systems according to ISO17025 and are accredited under international accreditation, e.g. European Accreditation and NATA (Australia). One of the key elements of the EN13725 standard is the requirement to attain defined levels of statistical performance parameters, in particular Precision under repeatability conditions r and Accuracy A. For the reference odour n-butanol laboratories can establish these performance characteristics in-house, through internal QA/QC measurements. However, the real proof of the pudding is to demonstrate compliance with the requirements in externally organised blind proficiency testing. Proficiency testing for olfactometry has been used since the mid 1980s in the Netherlands and Germany. Currently international proficiency tests are organised by private firm Olfatec, under EN ISO/IEC 17020:2004 accreditation. In 2007 the most recent test was held, with 29 laboratories participating in the extended proficiency test using n-butanol. Of the participating laboratories 12 fully complied with the statistical performance criteria of EN13725. This result confirms that the EN13725 performance criteria are attainable in practice. It also shows that the majority of laboratories claiming to work according to EN13725 actually fail to do so on the key issue of the performance characteristics, a key element of the EN13725 standard. Even more worrying is that among the laboratories that fail to attain the required performance, many are accredited under ISO17025. Of 36 accredited laboratories for olfactometry in Europe only 12 have demonstrated compliance in 2007. This situation may create a false sense of security among users of the data produced, trusting that they can apply uncertainties according to EN13725 while in fact the uncertainty can be larger. It is therefore very important that corrective actions are implemented, and that the accreditation organisations monitor the implementation and also ensure that all laboratories claiming to work according to EN13725 under ISO17025 accreditation actually are able to attain the minimum criteria for precision and accuracy in successive proficiency tests. For users of olfactometry results it must be absolutely clear that a laboratory working according to EN13725 under ISO17025 accreditation will deliver results with a defined and satisfactory uncertainty. Such laboratories must be able to consistently pass proficiency tests for olfactometry. Accreditation bodies are the key guardians of this reasonable expectation..

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