These 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). View the Certificate and Scope of Accreditation.
Here are the changes and improvements you can expect to see in 2021:
IMMUNOLOGY — New!
C-reactive protein (CRP) is now offered in the Immunology (IMGY) Survey
This survey is applicable for high sensitivity (hsCRP), CRP and wide-range (wrCRP) assays. Previously, the Immunology surveys targeted low values of CRP, which were best analyzed by high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) assays. In recent years, newer immunoassays are capable of measuring a full analytical range of CRP concentrations, and the number of laboratories replacing hsCRP assays with full range CRP assays has increased significantly. The Immunology survey will now offer a range of CRP concentrations (0.1–120.0 mg/L) in order to assess the full range of clinically encountered CRP values.
VIROLOGY — New!
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Virology Survey
This new survey is suitable for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 by using nucleic acid amplification methods. Survey material consists of fibroblast cells with/without whole SARS-CoV-2 cDNA genome. Survey assessment will be qualitative and assigned values will be determined by participants’ consensus and verified in comparison with the supplier’s certificate of analysis. Assay cycle threshold (CT) values for the target genes will also be collected from participants and included in the final survey reports. This will give participants the opportunity to compare their CT values with peer laboratories that use the same target genes.
PRE- AND POST-ANALYTICAL SURVEYS — New!
There will be two pre-analytical surveys; one in Pathology and one in Coagulation. A Bacteriology pre- and post-analytical survey will consist of a questionnaire addressing both pre- and post-analytical phases of the testing process.
CHANGES TO COAGULATION AND IMMUNOLOGY SURVEY SHIPMENTS
Starting in 2021, all material for the year, for the following surveys, wil be shipped at the beginning of the year. Laboratories will receive email reminders for testing start dates throughout the year.
- Routine Coagulation (COAG)
- D-dimer Assay (COAG-DD)
- Factor Assay (COAG-FA)
- Thrombophilia Investigation (COAG-TH)
- Immunology (IMGY)
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Survey participation: order before December 4, 2020
To ensure product availability, orders for 2021 proficiency testing programs should be placed no later than December 4, 2020, by using the online “request a quote” application https://iqmh.org/apps/ptquoterequest, or send an email to [email protected]. After this date, due to the number of samples available, surveys are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
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View the Complete List of Testing Menus
Find the complete list of testing menus in the 2021 Proficiency Testing Catalogue: https://iqmh.org/Services/Centre-For-Proficiency-Testing/PT-Catalogue.
IQMH offers Proficiency Testing programs for the following classes of tests:
Chemistry
Chemistry General
Blood Gases
Chemistry (includes routine chemistry, enzymes, bilirubin, drug monitoring and lipids)
Chemistry Urine
Chemistry Urine Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Qualitative
Fecal Occult Blood
Fecal Occult Blood — Fecal Immunochemical Test
Hemoglobin A1c
Oximetry
Drug Monitoring
Drug Monitoring (Ethanol & Tobramycin)
Urine Drug Screen
Endocrinology
Endocrinology and Tumour Markers
Endocrinology Special
Endocrinology Parathyroid Hormone
Prostate Specific Antigen
Immunology
Cytogenetics
Routine Cytogenetics
Cytopathology
Gynecological
Non-Gynecological
Hematology
Bone Marrow
Bone Marrow Slide-based
Bone Marrow Educational
Coagulation
Coagulation Pre-analytical
D-dimer Assay
Factor Assay
Routine Coagulation
Thrombophilia Investigation
Flow Cytometry
CD34+ Stem Cell Enumeration
Lymphocyte Immunophenotyping HIV
Leukocyte Immunophenotyping for Hematologic Disorders
Routine Hematology
Automated Body Fluid Cell Count
CBC and Automated Leukocyte Differential
Fetal-Maternal Hemorrhage
Manual Body Fluid Cell Count
Reticulocyte Count
Morphology
Peripheral Blood Film Virtual Slide-based
Peripheral Blood Film Educational
Red Cell Disorders
Hemoglobin Fraction Quantitation
Hemoglobinopathy Educational
Sickle Cell Solubility Screen
Microbiology
Bacteriology
Smears for Acid-Fast Stain
C. difficile Antigen and/or Toxin Detection
Routine Bacteriology
Molecular Microbiology
C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae
Mycology
Parasitology
Virology
Anti-HIV
Hepatitis
Infectious Mononucleosis
Respiratory Pathogens
Rubella Serology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2)
Pathology
Estrogen Receptor
Her2/neu Immunohistochemistry
Her2/neu in situ hybridization
Immunohistochemistry
Progesterone Receptor
Routine Oversight Stain (H&E or HPS) and/or Special Stain
Point-of-Care Testing
Chemistry
Blood Gases
Fecal Occult Blood
Glucose
Hemoglobin A1c
Oximetry
Urine Drug Screen
Urine Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Qualitative
Virology
Anti-HIV
Infectious Mononucleosis
Transfusion Medicine
Manual A (Advanced)
Manual B (Basic)
Manual B (Basic) – Direct Antiglobulin Test Only
Automation
IMPORTANT: ONTARIO LICENSED LABORATORIES
Participation in the IQMH Centre for 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.
Contact
Questions? We’re here to help. Please contact [email protected]