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The ASCLD/LAB Proficiency Review and Testing Program is an essential component of a laboratory's quality assurance program. Below are some key factors stated in the Program document.

• Each accredited laboratory must participate annually in external proficiency testing for each discipline in which it provides services. 
• The required external proficiency test(s) must be obtained from an ASCLD/LAB approved test provider, when an approved provider is available. 
• The laboratory must submit the test result to the test provider on or before the due date and must authorize each test provider to release directly to ASCLD/LAB the appropriate number of proficiency test results.
• Accredited laboratories must notify the test provider in writing (with a copy to the ASCLD/LAB Proficiency Test Program Manager) in a timely manner about any concerns related to an external proficiency test from an approved test provider.
• The discipline specific Proficiency Review Committee (PRC) will review a specially formatted proficiency test report from the approved test provider.  The manufacturer’s specifications, results of the pre-distribution laboratories, and (when judged applicable by the PRC) the consensus of participating accredited laboratories will be considered by the PRC in determining acceptable levels of performance. 
• Often after reviewing the laboratory’s response to an inquiry, the PRC will determine that no inconsistency exists. If an inconsistency does exist, the PRC will recommend a class I, II, or III to the inconsistency. The Proficiency Review Program document contains more information on determining the Level of Apparent Inconsistency.

At this time, the CAP FTC Survey is the only ASCLD/LAB approved Toxicology proficiency test with drug/blood samples and drug/urine samples. The ASCLD/LAB Board of Directors approved the following process with regards to the review of Toxicology drug/blood and drug/urine proficiency tests:

• The Toxicology Proficiency Review Committee will review test results to determine if potential false positives or quantitative outliers exist.
• The Proficiency Program Manager will track the test results that indicate a false negative or a lack of a response.
• The Laboratory will be responsible for reviewing the test results, recognizing and investigating any possible issues to include the potential false negative or lack of response. The laboratory will be responsible for implementing appropriate actions if actions are necessary.
• The Assessment Team or Surveillance Assessor will be provided information on the test results and can follow-up on the laboratory’s review and any applicable actions.   

At any time during the laboratory’s accreditation cycle, ASCLD/LAB can request objective evidence in order to determine if the proficiency test results have been reviewed and actions, if any needed, have been taken.  

If any questions arise, please contact Proficiency Program Manager Patti Williams at pwilliams@ascld-lab.org.