J Lab Med Qual Assur.  2014 Mar;36(1):1-11.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment in Diagnostic Hematology in Korea (2013)

• Kwon GC
• Kim J
• Ra GS
• Diagnostic Hematology Subcommittee, The Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory

Abstract

Diagnostic hematology subcommitee of The Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory performed laboratory proficiency testing for blood cell count, cell morphology and coagulation tests in 2013. Four trials for blood cell count and cell morphology and 2 trials for coagulation tests were executed. Average 1,308, 494, and 558 laboratories participated in the surveys of blood cell count, cell morphology and coagulation tests, respectively. The overall reply rates were 95.78%, 97.75%, and 97.38%, respectively. The homogeneity of external quality materials was stable (less than 3%) and status of use of the instrument and reagents was similar to those of the previous year. The CVs in white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were 3.15%, 2.00%, 5.10%, 1.81%, and 2.71%, respectively. For cell morphology, most showed concordant rate >80%. CVs of coagulation tests showed difference depending on instruments or reagent groups. An educational workshop on hands-on experience in diagnostic hematology was held in July. In 2013, the number of participating laboratories is more increased and the performance of surveys of hematology tests is similar performance compared to previous year. In addition, the revision in the way of evaluation of coagulation tests is needed.

Keyword

Laboratory proficiency testing; Blood cell count; Peripheral blood smear; Prothrombin time; Activated partial thromboplastin time

MeSH Terms

Blood Cell Count
Education
Erythrocyte Count
Hematocrit
Hematology*
Indicators and Reagents
Korea
Laboratory Proficiency Testing
Leukocyte Count
Partial Thromboplastin Time
Platelet Count
Prothrombin Time
Indicators and Reagents