IQMH Proficiency Testing Programs are accredited by The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) in accordance with the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Conformity assessment — General requirements for proficiency testing (Certificate Number: 3059.01).

New in 2022

HEMATOLOGY – BONE MARROW
Bone Marrow Virtual Slide-based (BONE-VSB)

• The Bone Marrow survey will now provide online digital scanned slide images of a bone marrow aspirate and/or biopsy and peripheral blood film.

TRANSFUSION MEDICINE
TMED-AAU (Manual and/or Automation)

• The new TMED-AAU survey will provide identical, commutable material (simulated whole blood) between the automated instruments and the manual testing methods.


• The following analytes can now be reported using automated instruments: phenotype, IS/AHG crossmatch, DAT and titration.


• Increase in assessment frequency (from twice a year to three times a year), and the number of samples for automated instrument reporting (from 3 samples to 4 samples, plus 1 donor sample per shipment).


• Customize survey according to laboratory’s test menu (3 manual competency testing options).


• A unique feature of the survey is that it is designed to simulate relevant clinical cases typically seen in transfusion medicine laboratories. Simulated whole blood survey material will be delivered in tubes compatible with automated and manual instrument testing. Clinical cases will be provided as part of the assessment allowing participants to evaluate their comprehensive service competency. 

TMED-E (Educational)

• A web-based educational survey, individual laboratory performance is not assessed, ideal for training and competency assessment.
• Clinical case studies (dry lab) related to transfusion medicine practices (e.g. transfusion related reactions, MTP).

VIROLOGY
VIRO-COV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or VOC [Variants of Concern])

• Testing for SARS-CoV-2 or VOC by laboratory or rapid nucleic acid amplification methods.

Find the complete list of testing menus in the 2022 Proficiency Testing Catalogue: https://iqmh.org/Services/Centre-For-Proficiency-Testing/PT-Catalogue.

SURVEY PARTICIPATION

To ensure product availability, orders for 2022 proficiency testing programs should be placed no later than December 3, 2021, by using the online “request a quote” application: https://iqmh.org/apps/ptquoterequest or send an email to info@iqmh.org. After this date, due to the number of samples available, surveys are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Download a copy of the 2022 Proficiency Testing Catalogue for complete survey details.

IMPORTANT: ONTARIO LICENSED LABORATORIES

Participation in the IQMH Proficiency Testing programs is mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH). Ontario licensed laboratories will be automatically enrolled in the appropriate surveys according to their laboratory license.