We measure rates of poor performance in all of our EQA schemes (except pilots). Poor performance is incurred for the following reasons and applies to all laboratories. Performance criteria can be found here.
- Non-submission of results with no acceptable prior notification to the Scheme;
- Critical genotyping error (incorrect result for the patient);
- Critical interpretation error which adversely affects patient management;
- Incorrect/inappropriate advice.
All poor performance is ratified by the EMQN Board without disclosing the identity of the laboratory. Laboratories that have received a poor performance will be asked to perform a root cause analysis and provide a summary of corrective and preventative actions to the Scheme.
PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE
Laboratories who perform poorly in two out of any three consecutive EQA rounds or incur a poor performance within one year following a previous persistent poor performance designation will be classed as “red” whilst the persistent poor performance status stands.
Laboratories performing poorly on genotyping in one round of EQA and interpretation in the next round will have the same consequences as performing poorly on genotyping for two rounds of EQA. A participant who has performed poorly for more than one disease/EQA in more than one EQA round may, at the discretion of the EMQN Director, be referred to the EMQN Board for Persistent Poor Performance even if they have not met the criteria for Persistent Poor Performance in any individual EQA.
Once a Swiss, Australian or UK laboratory meets the criteria for a persistent poor performance, the Scheme is obliged to notify FOPH (Swiss) or RCPAQAP (Australia), or NQAAP for Genetics (UK) respectively.