External Quality Assessment

What is EQA?

"A system of objectively assessing the laboratory performance by an outside agency. EQA is a system whereby a set of reagents and techniques are assessed by an external source and the results of the testing laboratory are compared with those of an approved reference laboratory The main objective of external quality assessment is to establish inter-laboratory compatibility" (WHO 1981)

"External Quality Assessment" (EQA) and "Proficiency testing" (PT) are often used interchangeably. The difference between EQA and PT is not always clear. EQA is more used in Europe and PT in the US. EQA is more focused on education and continuous improvement; PT is focused on satisfactory performances and authorization.

Informational leaflet on EQA:

Download the pdf file

Download the publisher file

Events

May 2005 - EQA cytogenetics forum 1 (WP1.4)

Oct 2005 - EQA cytogenetics forum 2 (WP1.4)

May 2006 - EQA cytogenetics forum 3 (WP1.4)

Oct 2006 - EQA cytogenetics forum 4 (WP1.4)