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Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: working discussions on current practice and future directions

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Abstract

A summary of the working group (WG) discussions on proficiency testing (PT) and external quality assessment (EQA) held at the EURACHEM Workshop, Istanbul, 3–6 October 2011, is provided. The six WGs covered a range of issues concerned with current practice and future directions; implementing the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043 by PT/EQA providers (WG1); accrediting PT/EQA providers to ISO/IEC 17043 (WG2); pre- and post-analytical aspects in PT/EQA (WG3); evaluating participant performance in qualitative PT/EQA schemes (WG4); establishing PT/EQA schemes in developing countries (WG5); and establishing acceptability criteria in microbiology PT/EQA schemes (WG6). Delegates with different backgrounds were on each WG in order to capture a range of views and experience from a number of different sectors. Working group representatives included PT/EQA providers, participants in PT/EQA schemes and end-users of PT results such as accreditation bodies and regulatory authorities, from countries around the world.

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Acknowledgements

The authors (convenors of the working groups) would like to thank the co-convenors, Christian Lehmann, Jane Gun-Munro, Fatma Akçadağ, Sverre Sandberg, Vivienne James, Kezia Mbwambo and Gülderen Yanıkkaya Demirel along with all the attendees at the working groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LGC Standards Proficiency Testing, Bury, UK

    Brian Brookman & Tracey Noblett

  2. University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Ewa Bulska

  3. Health & Safety Laboratory, Buxton, UK

    Owen Butler

  4. University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

    Michael Koch

  5. Ducares B.V., Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Kees van Putten

  6. Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium

    Piotr Robouch

Authors
  1. Brian Brookman
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  2. Ewa Bulska
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  3. Owen Butler
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  4. Michael Koch
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  5. Tracey Noblett
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  6. Kees van Putten
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  7. Piotr Robouch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian Brookman.

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Papers published in this section do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editors, the Editorial Board and the Publisher.

A critical and constructive debate in the Discussion Forum or a Letter to the Editor is strongly encouraged!

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Brookman, B., Bulska, E., Butler, O. et al. Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: working discussions on current practice and future directions. Accred Qual Assur 17, 445–451 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-012-0910-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-012-0910-6

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