LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing - 2023 Water & Environmental Catalogue
About Proficiency Testing
What is proficiency testing? Proficiency Testing (PT) provides a regular independent assessment of the the technical performance of a laboratory to assure the validity of measurements and tests, which should form part of an overall quality strategy. PT is often referred to as external quality assessment (EQA), especially in the medical/ clinical arena. The practice of testing unknown test materials from an outside source provides an additional, independent, means to assure the quality of laboratory test results. One of the most common designs for a PT scheme is for the provider to designate specific dates throughout the year when it will send test materials to all participants at the same time. The test materials, whose expected values are unknown to the subscribers, are analysed by the laboratory staff who return their results to the proficiency testing provider. The results are reviewed (using statistical techniques described in ISO 13528) to determine acceptable performance levels, and an evaluation is issued to each participant. The evaluation and accompanying statistical data not only capture the laboratory’s current performance, but over time allow the quality team to analyse trends and improve the laboratory’s long term performance. Proficiency testing is a key element in the laboratory accreditation process, alongside reference materials, enabling laboratories to monitor the quality of their analytical results as stipulated in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189.
Why enrol in a proficiency testing scheme? • Compare your laboratory’s results to those of others performing the same test or measurement. • Demonstrate and identify performance trends. • Monitor test performance across all of your organisation’s laboratories. • Complement internal check sample programs. • Demonstrate competency to customers, accreditation bodies and other regulatory bodies. • Fulfil accreditation requirements. • Verify methods and instrumentation. • Manage risk through early warning of potential problems. • Educate and train staff. • Check the reasonableness of the laboratory’s estimated measurement uncertainty.
20
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online