External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of microbiological diagnostic testing. Effective EQA implementation ensures the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic testing, minimizing the risk of misdiagnoses and subsequent inappropriate treatments. EQA programs provide clinical laboratories with reliable information for replacing unsatisfactory methods. They can identify poorly performing methods, assess individual laboratory performance and satisfy accreditation and regulatory requirements. Moreover, EQA programs provide a means for continuous professional development, encouraging laboratory staff to update their skills and knowledge through feedback and educational opportunities.
The Royal College of Pathologists Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP) has provided EQA programs for microbiology for more than 40 years. Over that period, clinical microbiology has changed significantly. The rise of point-of-care testing and the integration of whole genome sequencing in diagnostic microbiology are two examples of recent developments that challenge laboratories. Additionally, clinical microbiology laboratories face the task of developing and implementing testing protocols for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
To assist laboratories with these challenges, RCPAQAP strives to develop suitable EQA programs and refine existing ones to better meet the specific needs of the laboratory. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the role of EQA in clinical microbiology, with a particular focus on some of the newer EQA programs, including those developed for Whole Genome Sequencing and point-of-care testing.