Lab Med Qual Assur.  2021 Sep;43(3):122-129. 10.15263/jlmqa.2021.43.3.122.

Report of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service on General and Specialized Coagulation Tests in Korea (2016–2019)

• Jang S
• Kim H
• goong SN
• Kim T

• KMID: 2520819
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15263/jlmqa.2021.43.3.122

Abstract

The Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service offered to conduct a proficiency test program for general and specialized coagulation testing. In this report, we have summarized the results of proficiency tests performed between 2016 and 2019. In the proficiency test program, two trials were performed for general and specialized coagulation testing. In each trial, three different control samples were sent. The number of participating laboratories for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) increased from 450 in 2016 (the first trial) to 583 in 2019 (the second trial). Prothrombin time and aPTT were the most commonly tested items. The most widely used coagulation analyzers (manufacturers) were Sysmex (Instrumentation Laboratory) and Stago for general and specialized coagulation tests. The proficiency test coefficients of variation (CVs) for each test exhibit a broad range (2.1%–27.5%), which is mainly attributed to the test reagents, equipment, clerical errors, or number of participating laboratories. aPTT had relatively high CVs (9.9%–26.6% in 2019) because of the differences in the results obtained using different reagents and different test methods. The quality of coagulation testing should be continuously improved through participation in external quality assessment programs.

Keyword

External quality assessment program; Proficiency test program; General coagulation testing program; Special coagulation testing program