Virology Proficiency Testing Program
Virology PT Program
Program Contacts:
Kirsten St. George, MAppSc, Ph.D
Deborah Rusinko
Telephone: 518-869-4540
Fax: 518-869-4579
Mailing Address:
Virology Profiency Testing Program
Wadsworth Center
New York State Department of Health
PO Box 509
Albany, NY 12201-0509
Grading
Sample Validation
Acceptable responses must be authenticated by 80% or more of the referee or participating laboratories.
Criteria For Acceptable Performance
| Procedure | Acceptable Performance |
|---|---|
| Virus isolation and Identification | 80% |
| Direct Antigen Testing Influenza | 80% |
| Direct Antigen Testing RSV | 80% |
| Direct Antigen Testing ROTA | 80% |
Grading
Grades are determined as follows:
Isolation/Identification
| Sample Score = | Number of acceptable responses | X 100 |
| ----------------------------------------- | ||
| Number of viruses present + Number of Incorrect Responses | ||
| Event Score = | Sum of sample scores | X 100 |
| Total number of sample scores | ||
Qualitative Antigen Tests
Note: For laboratories performing influenza rapid testing with kits that only detect influenza virus type A, their results will be scored solely on the basis of their detection of influenza A.
Presence or Absence of the viral antigen
| Event Score = | Number of acceptable responses | X 100 |
| Total number of samples tested | ||
| ----------------------------------------- | ||
Failure to attain an overall testing score of at least 80% is unsatisfactory performance.