Introduction:
The RCPAQAP Pty Ltd is an international subscriber based proficiency testing (PT) provider located in Sydney, Australia, and considers its role as two-fold. Firstly, to provide test material that gives subscribers the opportunity to assess their performance against other laboratories. Secondly, to provide educational material that will interest a variety of technical, scientific and medical staff.
Overview:
The RCPAQAP Haematology currently provides proficiency testing for General Haematology, including FBC, Blood film differential, Haemostasis, D-Dimer, Haemoglobinopathy, Morphology, Automated WC differential, Reticulocyte & ESR. Specialised programs are also offered including Point of care-INR, Paediatric Morphology, Oncology Immunophenotyping, Special Haemostasis modules, CD34+, G6PD and Malarial Parasite Identification modules. Surveys are sent monthly and will include one or more of the modules listed above, the frequency will depend on the module.
RCPAQAP Transfusion programs cover all aspects of pre-transfusion testing including foeto-maternal haemorrhage estimation and Australian Snake Venom Detection. Based on scope of accreditation and practice, individual laboratories can participate in any selection of modules currently offered. The available modules include General/ Basic Compatibility, Individual Assessment, Antibody Titre, Antigen Phenotyping, Foeto-Maternal Haemorrhage Estimation and Transfusion Competency program. All surveys in Transfusion are scenario-based to reflect cases encountered in routine laboratory practice and assessment is based on current guidelines and published recommended current practice in the field.
Survey sample types include stabilized whole blood, lyophilized plasma or haemolysate, stained blood films or digital (virtual) images (used in our Paediatric Morphology and Malarial parasite programs), which also includes educational supplements to accompany our specialised modules. The majority of survey samples are tested in-house for homogeneity and stability using the recently purchased Mindray BC-6800, which provides a good indication of sample integrity prior to sample release.
The data analysis used will depend on the module in which you are enrolled. Quantitative analysis is a peer review process, which uses linear regression analysis to assess the precision and accuracy of survey results. Other interpretive or diagnostic modules use a scoring system to perform peer comparison. A more detailed review can be found in the RCPAQAP discipline handbooks.
Conclusions:
The RCPAQAP provides comprehensive high quality proficiency testing for all pathology disciplines. A list of available programs can be viewed in the RCPAQAP product catalogue via the RCPAQAP website (www.rcpaqap.com.au). If you have any further enquiries about enrolling in any RCPAQAP program, please contact our enrolment office (enrolment@rcpaqap.com.au).