Thank you for participating in the 2025 Pilot Surveys! 

Your feedback played an important role in shaping the direction and priorities of our 2026 program offerings. Information pertaining to pilot surveys and new surveys can be found on the Pilot Surveys page of the IQMH website.

Survey Participation

• To ensure product availability, place your orders for the 2026 Proficiency Testing programs no later than December 5, 2025, using the online request a quote tool or by emailing info@iqmh.org.
   
• After December 5, 2025, surveys will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited sample availability.
   
• Existing participants do not need to take action as renewal quotes were sent in early August. If you have not received your renewal notice, please contact info@iqmh.org. New clients or those ordering new programs should act now.

New in 2026

BACTERIOLOGY

Bacteriology - Digital Gram Stain (BACT-DGS)

• Digital slides are provided for the identification of gram-stained organisms with follow-up multi-select questions.

Bacteriology - Unstained Gram Stain (BACT-UGS)

• Unstained methanol fixed glass slides are provided for staining and to identify bacteria and/or yeast, with follow-up questions.

CHEMISTRY

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (CHEM-BNP)

• Frozen Plasma provided for testing of BNP and NT-pro BNP.

CYTOLOGY

Cytology Non-Gynecological and Gynecological Educational Survey (CYTO-NGE, CYTO-GE)

• Digital slides and/or static images are provided with follow-up multiple choice questions, designed to expose participants to unique cases and enhance their learning.

GENETICS

Genetics - Oncology Florescence in situ Hybridization (GENE-FSH)

• Simulated digital slides, composed of interphase FISH nuclei from clinical cases are provided. Each challenge includes follow-up multiple-choice questions for both technical and interpretive assessment.

HEMATOLOGY

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (HEMA-SR1, HEMA-SR2)

• Suitable for manual and automated methods of testing ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate).

Hematology – Malaria Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (HEMA-LAMP)

• Testing for Plasmodium species DNA by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology.

PATHOLOGY

Pathology – Educational (PATH-E)

• An educational survey. Individual laboratory performance is not assessed, ideal for training and competency assessment. 

POINT-OF-CARE TESTING

Point-of-Care Testing – Group A Streptococcus (POCT-GAS)

• Rapid detection of Group A Streptococcus using a simulated throat swab.
• Compatible with Rapid Antigen, POCT Molecular and PCR methods. 

Modified Surveys

Chemistry – Blood Gases (CHEM-BG)

• Sample quantity change: 2 samples per survey increased to 3 samples per survey for 2026. 

Chemistry – Urinalysis (CHEM-UDIP)

• This survey is no longer separated into two packages—participants reporting hCG only will now receive 10mL vials and will have the option to report hCG only or additional analytes on the Analysis Worksheet. 

Cytology Non-Gynecological and Gynecological (CYTO-NG AND CYTO-G)

• These surveys will no longer include an educational digital case component. The educational case is now part of a separate survey (see CYTO-NGE and CYTO-GE).
• The survey submission period has been extended to 10 business days.

Cytology Gynecology (CYTO-G)

• Participants have the option to choose from two packages consisting of: 
  • Pkg 1: Five ThinPrep® preparations. 
  • Pkg 2: One conventional and four liquid-based preparations (ThinPrep® and SurePath™).  
• Ontario Licensed Laboratories will automatically receive Pkg 1. If Pkg 2 is preferable, please reach out to info@iqmh.org. 

Pathology (PATH-IHC, PATH-SS)

• Participants can now enroll by individual Special Stains and/or IHC markers.

Routine Coagulation (COAG)

• The Coagulation survey now includes D-dimer. As a result, D-dimer is no longer offered as a separate survey. 
• Participants have the option to choose from two packages consisting of:
  • Pkg 1: PT/INR, APTT, D-dimer, Fibrinogen, & TT
  • Pkg 2: PT/INR, APTT, D-dimer, Fibrinogen, TT, LMWH & UFH

Click here to learn more and view the full 2026 PT Catalogue