Diagnostic Immunology/HIV Proficiency Testing Program

General Information

The Diagnostic Immunology/HIV proficiency testing programs consist of 2 categories: Diagnostic Immunology and HIV. The Diagnostic Immunology category encompasses 2 subcategories: Diagnostic Services Serology and Donor Services Serology; the HIV category encompasses 3 subcategories: Screening Tests Only, General, and Viral identification.

Three proficiency testing events are given annually, each consisting of five specimens. In order to successfully complete a test event, participating laboratories must achieve a score of at least 80% for Diagnostic Services or 100% for Donor Services and HIV. Failure of the testing program is defined as failing two of three consecutive test events. New laboratories entering the program must successfully complete one test event as well as an on-site inspection before a permit is issued.

Proficiency Testing (PT) is available for the subcategories of Diagnostic Services Serology, Donor Services Serology, HIV Screening Tests Only, and HIV General. For those areas of laboratory medicine for which proficiency testing programs are not available, the laboratory is required to have an alternate system for verifying the reliability and accuracy of their test results at least twice a year. This can be accomplished through participation in other external proficiency testing programs or through the implementation of an internal proficiency testing program.

Related Links

• Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP)
• Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program Technical Section Staff

For questions, comments, additional information, or information in an alternate format please send us email to DIPT@wadsworth.org.