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Parasitology Proficiency Testing Program

Parasitology PT Program

Parasitology PT Program

Important Grading Policy Change

Beginning with the February 2009 proficiency exam, the grading policy will change. In order to make the score on the NYS Parasitology PT exam more accurately reflect laboratory performance and be more consistent across categories a new scoring system will be in effect. Under the new scoring system, grades will be based only on the specimen types processed by your laboratory. For example, if your laboratory does not process blood smears, your score will be based on the four fecal specimens, each of which will be worth 25% of the total. Laboratories that process all of the types of samples included in the exam will not observe any changes in scoring method.

Introduction

The purpose of the New York State Proficiency Testing Program in the category of Parasitology is to monitor the performance of applicant laboratories in detecting and identifying parasites in fecal emulsions, fecal smears, and blood films. Parasites are important etiologic agents which cause a wide range of clinical infections. Their diagnosis in clinical samples requires specialized knowledge and techniques. The Parasitic Diseases Lab of the NYSDOH serves as a reference center for parasite identification; evaluates through a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) those laboratories requesting a permit for examination of clinical specimens; and provides workshops to update PTP participating labs. There are >230 licensed labs in Parasitology.

Categories

Parasitology-Comprehensive (formerly Parasitology-General): Laboratories that examine patient feces, blood, urine, or swabs for parasites hold a permit for this subcategory.

Parasitology-Blood Smears Only (formerly Parasitology-Blood Borne Parasites Only): Laboratories that examine patient blood for parasites hold a permit for this subcategory.

Parasitology Restricted - Antigen detection: Laboratories that examine patient specimens using immunoassay techniques for the presence of Giardia intestinalis (lamblia) and/or Cryptosporidium sp. hold a permit for this subcategory.

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Web site questions or comments or to request a different file format (pdf.,doc.,wpd.,plain text, audio) contact:
E-mail: Parasit@wadsworth.org.