IQMH Proficiency Testing is thrilled to share this article prepared and authored by: Angela C. Rutledge (lead author), Anna Johnston, Dana Bailey, Ronald A. Booth Pamela Edmond, Victor Leung, Kika Veljkovic

Survey of renin and aldosterone testing practices by Ontario laboratories – Providing insight into best practices

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Testing for renin and aldosterone in clinical laboratories is complicated by pre-analytical considerations such as the posture for blood collection and susceptibility to cryoactivation of renin. From an analytical perspective, there are both renin activity and renin mass or concentration assays available. There can also be variability in result reporting practices and the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) cut-off applied to screen for primary aldosteronism (PA). The Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) Centre for Proficiency Testing surveyed laboratories on their handling of renin and aldosterone testing to better understand current practices.

Authors: Elaine Leung, Anna Johnston, Brian Olsen, Hong Chang, Tracy Martin, Miranda Wozniak, David Good

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Examination of a blood film is the second most common hematology test, after the complete blood count. Interpretation of a peripheral blood film by trained laboratory professionals provides valuable diagnostic information. The Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) Hematology Scientific Committee developed a questionnaire to gather information regarding current practices for manual blood film review and reporting from laboratories participating in IQMH Morphology proficiency testing (PT) surveys.

Please join us in extending our best wishes to IQMH President, Jeff Sumner, who is retiring on March 31, 2021. Jeff has been leading IQMH since 2017 and has dedicated his career to improving the quality of medical laboratories across the country for many years.

As much as we might want to, 2020 has been a year that none of us are likely to forget. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global social and economic disruption, cancellations and postponements of events, travel restrictions, and lockdowns across the world. Today, the pressure on our Canadian healthcare systems has never been greater with daily case numbers continuing to rise, increasing hospital admissions, and ICU bed occupancy reaching critical capacity levels.

The IQMH Centre for Proficiency Testing released its Proficiency Testing Programs in the 2021 Catalogue in August.

IQMH is resuming accreditation assessment activities as of October 26 using a revised approach. To the extent possible, we will be conducting assessments remotely in order to reduce the number of assessors on-site to as few as possible for the shortest time needed. You will be contacted by the Staff Technologist assigned to your assessment with specific details. Thank you for your continued cooperation at this difficult time. 

Like many organizations, IQMH quickly pivoted to remote work with the COVID-19 pandemic. This was relatively easy as we were already connected remotely, accessing our network, portal and our quality management system (QMS) over the Internet.

IQMH is seeking volunteers to sit on its Proficiency Testing Scientific Committee(s) and Accreditation Advisory Panel, effective January 1, 2021.   Membership on committees consists of a three-year term of office, renewable once. Committees meet an average of four times a year for half-day or full-day meetings.

IQMH is implementing stricter QView™ password rules in our commitment to protecting your privacy and confidential information. On Thursday, July 30,^, 2020, when you log in to QView™, you will be asked to change your password.

As previously communicated, IQMH has been operating as a virtual office since the physical office was closed in mid-March. We are now planning to gradually re-open with a very limited number of staff present on-site commencing on July 13, 2020 or thereabouts. However, the vast majority of IQMH staff will continue to work from home during this early phase.