EQA Sample Design: Homogeneity, Stability and Clinically Relevant Targets
This review details the requirements for external quality assessment (EQA) samples, including homogeneity, stability, and concentration ranges that reflect clinically relevant values. The authors describe the responsibilities of EQA providers in ensuring that samples give all participating laboratories an equal opportunity to obtain accurate results, forming the foundation of reliable proficiency testing.
The original study
Behind the scenes of EQA – characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA): Part III – EQA samples.
- Authors
- Buchta C, Marrington R, De la Salle B, Albarède S, Albe X, Badrick T, et al.
- Journal
- Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 39753204
Original abstract
Providers of external quality assessment (EQA) programs evaluate data or information obtained and reported by participant laboratories using their routine procedures to examine properties or measurands in samples provided for this purpose. EQA samples must offer participants an equal chance to obtain accurate results, while being designed to provide results in clinically relevant ranges. It is the responsibility of the EQA provider to meet the necessary requirements for homogeneity, stability and some other properties of the EQA items in order to offer participants a fair, reliable and technically interesting EQA experience. Thus, the samples are at the heart and in the centre of EQA and its success depends on their quality. This manuscript describes the requirements for EQA samples and the activities of EQA providers to achieve them.