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Clinical Chemistry and Hematology Laboratories

All summary data from hematology proficiency tests (1996 - present) are available on line: go to the Hematology Proficiency Test Data Base

All summary data from the glass slide hematology proficiency tests (1997 - present) are available on line: go to the Cytohematology (Glass Slide) Proficiency Test Data Base

Hematology Proficiency Testing

The Hematology Proficiency Testing program is an approved CLIA'88 proficiency test program surveying all eight analytes listed in the Federal Register (Dept of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988;Final Rule. Fed. Reg. February 28, 1992;57:7001-7288).   Laboratories performing one or more of the following tests, available in the New York State proficiency test program, should apply for a permit in Hematology: white cell (WBC), red cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelet (PLT), cytohematology, prothrombin time (PT), partial thrmboplastin time (PTT), and fibrinogen. Laboratories issued a Hematology permit may perform a full scope of Hematology testing.

There are five samples distributed per test event, with three test events each year. Test samples are commercially prepared. Participants are challenged each survey with a series of samples containing analytes at clinically relevant concentrations.

Acceptable ranges are established using fixed criteria specified by CLIA '88, and are listed below. Referee laboratory analysis, performed concurrently with participant analysis, is also used to corroborate the validity of target values and to monitor specimen integrity. Participant results falling within the following limits are considered acceptable performance. Results outside specified ranges are graded as unsatisfactory (0%).

Analyte	Target Value
Leukocyte Count	± 15%
Erythrocyte Count	± 6%
Hemoglobin	± 7%
Hematocrit	± 6%
Platelet Count	± 25%
Prothrombin Time	± 15%
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time	± 15%
Fibrinogen	± 20%

Laboratories must obtain a score of 80% or greater in two of three consecutive test events and must maintain a cumulative average score of 80% or greater in the most current and the two immediately preceding test events. Cumulative average scoring will be based on a moving average in which the three most recent testing events will be used to evaluate the performance of the laboratory, including extending the moving average from one proficiency testing year.

Summary data from all hematology proficiency tests (1996 - present) are available on line. Recent events will be available here prior to mailing results to participants. Go to the Hematology Proficiency Test Data Base