BACKGROUND Proficiency testing (PT) provides a measure of the effectiveness of laboratory quality assurance programs. Test reports are released from processes that the laboratory judges to be in conformance with quality specifications; an evaluation of unsatisfactory performance (UNSAT) by a PT provider is an unexpected outcome for the laboratory. An understanding of the root cause(s) of testin...

and develop comparable regulatory programs for their state or (b) require intrastate clinical laboratories providing toxicological services to participate in the toxicology proficiency program now being separately developed by the National Center for Disease Control or the College of American Pathologists. The failure to provide adequate safeguards by mandatory drug-abuse proficiency testing op...

This study presents the results of a Europe-wide training and Quality Control (QC) exercise carried out within framework European Aerobiology Society’s QC Working Group. The main aim this was to examine feasibility carrying for fungal spore monitoring in Europe, using similar methodology one previously used pollen. survey conducted two parts: (1) Coordinators national regional aerobiological ne...