Proficiency test

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Proficiency test

Description

Proficiency testing is an evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria by means of interlaboratory comparisons. Some providers of proficiency testing in the medical area use the term “External Quality Assessment (EQA)” for their proficiency testing schemes, or for their broader programmes, or both.

Reference: ISO/IEC 17043:2010 General requirements for proficiency testing

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The term “proficiency testing” is taken in its widest sense and includes, but is not limited to:

1. quantitative scheme — where the objective is to quantify one or more measurands of the proficiency test item;
2. qualitative scheme — where the objective is to identify or describe one or more characteristics of the proficiency test item;
3. sequential scheme — where one or more proficiency test items are distributed sequentially for testing or measurement and returned to the proficiency testing provider at intervals;
4. simultaneous scheme — where proficiency test items are distributed for concurrent testing or measurement within a defined time period;
5. single occasion exercise — where proficiency test items are provided on a single occasion;
6. continuous scheme — where proficiency test items are provided at regular intervals;
7. sampling — where samples are taken for subsequent analysis;
8. data transformation and interpretation — where sets of data or other information are furnished and the information is processed to provide an interpretation (or other outcome).

Proficiency test item: sample, product, artefact, reference material, piece of equipment, measurement standard, data set or other information used for proficiency testing.

Proficiency testing provider: organization which takes responsibility for all tasks in the development and operation of a proficiency testing scheme.

Proficiency testing round: single complete sequence of distribution of proficiency test items, and the evaluation and reporting of results to the participants.

Proficiency testing scheme: proficiency testing designed and operated in one or more rounds for a specified area of testing, measurement, calibration or inspection. A proficiency testing scheme might cover a particular type of test, calibration, inspection or a number of tests, calibrations or inspections on proficiency test items.