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Analysing and resolving poor performance in PT

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Many laboratories participating in proficiency testing (PT) receive an unsatisfactory performance score from time to time. But what are the most common causes of poor performance in PT, and how can we learn from these mistakes? As part of its 40-year-long commitment to drive improvements in PT, LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing (‘AXIO’) carried out a global survey to uncover the main reasons behind PT laboratories’ poor performance. AXIO has now published the wealth of data from the survey in our free whitepaper - featuring real world case studies, advice on current regulations and best practice, together with practical steps that laboratories can take to fix performance problems and improve their quality assurance systems.

 

The problem of poor proficiency testing performance

 

During their routine participation in proficiency testing, many laboratories will occasionally receive an unsatisfactory performance score for a specific analyte in a particular matrix. When this happens, those labs are expected – and accredited laboratories required – to investigate the root causes of the failure, and implement any necessary corrective actions.

 

As a leading global provider, LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing has worked in harmony with customers and industry experts for over 40 years – all with the aim of driving constant improvements in PT and quality assurance. It was therefore natural for AXIO to investigate the issue of poor PT performance in greater depth - by conducting a global, online survey of laboratories about the causes of their poor performance scores, and publishing the results in a companion whitepaper, Poor performance in proficiency testing: root causes and solutions.

 

Our survey said...

 

In total, AXIO surveyed 361 customers from around the world, who reported testing a total of approximately 12,000 samples over three years. Participants were asked to choose from eight categories to reflect the causes of their own poor performance - with the three most common types of error in accordance with a previous investigation by Ellison and Hardcastle, which had independently found the same broad issues to be the most frequent causes of unsatisfactory performance scores.

 

Download our free whitepaper for survey results, case studies, and best practice ways

to improve your lab’s results.

Download

 

Root cause analysis: trend monitoring

 

As well as providing a wealth of survey data about the causes of poor PT performance, our whitepaper provides in-depth advice and practical solutions that laboratories can use to fix problems and improve their quality assurance systems.

 

Trend monitoring could be one of these solutions, since participation in PT offers laboratories the chance to track their long-term performance by plotting performance scores across multiple rounds – providing an effective way to identify recurring trends such as ongoing bias, varied analyst performance, or erratic results for specific analytes. Tracking can also be performed using various approaches - including graphical analysis, and statistical methods such as calculating long-term bias components to detect consistent deviations from expected results.

 

PORTAL, AXIO’s integrated data analysis system, offers participants the flexibility to closely monitor their performance and identify unsatisfactory results within a single PT round, as well as empowering them to track trends over the last six to 36 rounds. The PORTAL system enables comparisons both across the entire laboratory and for individual analysts, while performance trend charts can be customised and further broken down by scheme, sample, analyte, laboratory, and method - providing a comprehensive overview of performance. This level of granularity ensures that any unsatisfactory results can be thoroughly investigated – facilitating the prompt implementation of corrective actions, as well as supporting and enhancing quality systems.

 

 

LGC Standards – your trusted PT and reference standards partner

 

LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing supports more than 13,000 laboratories across 160+ countries, offering localised programmes through a truly global network. Our comprehensive range of world class PT schemes spans the food, beverage, environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, consumer safety and forensic sectors – helping to give you confidence in your results, and to drive continuous improvement in your laboratory.

 

LGC Standards offers an extensive catalogue of reference materials for quality control testing in the food, beverage and environmental sectors, as well as a vast array of high quality pharmaceutical standards.

 

Our TRC brand provides a world-leading selection of more than 150,000 research chemicals and analytical standards – covering the pharmaceutical, environmental, food and beverage sectors, and including more than 7,000 Stable Isotope Labelled Standards (SILS).

 

The LGC Industrial companies VHG, ARMI|MBH, and Paragon Scientific meanwhile provide quality industrial reference standards and sample preparation equipment that you can rely on when developing, using, and transforming materials.

 

 

Stepwise investigation of poor PT performance

 

Our survey and whitepaper also highlight the value of a structured, step-by-step, investigation process in identifying the root causes of performance issues across different sectors, such as food testing and water quality.

 

In cases of repeated questionable performance scores, or consistent detection of bias in the same measurement, a stepwise investigation process is recommended by PT authorities such as Eurachem to maximise the likelihood of identifying the root cause. According to the Eurachem PT Guide, this investigation should involve the staff responsible for the measurement and include an analysis of performance data from the current PT round, previous rounds, and internal quality control data. Based on the findings, a corrective action plan should be implemented, documented, and followed up to ensure its effectiveness.

 

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