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Proficiency
Testing Program
Frequently Asked Questions.
 Who is the vendor for the ASHI Proficiency Testing Program?
 Dr. Rene Duquesnoy and Marilyn Marrari, CHS (ABHI), at the University of Pittsburgh provide samples for the ASHI program and work with the ASHI Proficiency Testing Committee to coordinate the program.
How are samples characterized prior to send out?
Before send out, analytes are characterized in Pittsburgh and by several referee laboratories selected by the ASHI Proficiency Testing Committee.
Is the ASHI PT program recognized by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)?
ASHI is recognized by CAP as an alternative PT Provider.
Is the ASHI Proficiency Testing Program approved by CMS (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services)?
CMS currently has no requirement or provision for approving HLA typing and HLA antibody testing surveys. ABO typing surveys do require CMS approval. ASHI’s ABO typing survey is not CMS-approved; however, we are working on obtaining approval for the 2008 survey year.
How do I order PT surveys?
Order forms can be obtained from the ASHI central office (Cecilia’s attention) or from the ASHI website with some further instructions.
If subscribing to the combined class I and class II antibody screening/crossmatching survey for all methods, do you have to perform all methods?
For each of the modules in the antibody screening/crossmatching surveys, participants can report results for multiple methods and are evaluated only for the results they submit. Laboratories are not penalized if, for example, they report T cell flow cytometric results but not B cell flow results. The titles given to the different modules serve as suggestions for the methods most likely to be utilized given the specimen volumes supplied.
All methods that are used as stand-alone tests for clinical results must be performed and reported at least twice a year on a minimum of 8 PT samples per year. For a method used only as a “supplemental” test, the PT samples should be tested with this method only under the same conditions that it would be used for routine patient testing.
How long do I have to report my proficiency testing results?
The date by which results are due is listed on the 2007 Survey Schedule, available on the ASHI Web Site. Due dates are also shown on the instructions received with the survey kit.
How are results submitted?
Results are submitted directly via the internet. Faxing is a more labor-intensive alternative. Results should be submitted only once, either by website or by fax.
What kinds of testing reports are utilized in the ASHI PT program?
Both website-based and printed reports are utilized in the ASHI PT program. Subscribers submit results and view summary reports directly via the internet. Individual Laboratory Performance Reports are available online. Sign on using your laboratory’s log in & password. Across the top is a link for Performance Reports and next to it is a link for the Summary Reports that are available.
If my lab receives a Discrepant grade, are we required to submit a response to the ASHI PT Committee or Accreditation Review Board?
The ARB requires that a laboratory evaluate the circumstances surrounding any Discrepant grades it receives, and take any necessary corrective actions. The ARB reviews the laboratory’s follow-up to a Discrepant grade when the laboratory’s ASHI accreditation is up for renewal. The ASHI PT Committee never requires a response from a laboratory about Discrepant grades, however, if a laboratory feels a Discrepant grade is unfair or incorrect, they should contact, by letter or e-mail, Cecilia Blair at the ASHI Central Office (see below).
My lab is required to supply copies of the PT testing reports to the state. Will that be handled as part of subscription, as in other PT programs, or will I need to do that myself?
ASHI will forward testing reports to participant designated regulatory and other offices. Please contact Cecilia Blair at the ASHI Central Office. (see below)
What should I do if I did not receive my proficiency testing kit?
Please contact Cecilia Blair at the ASHI Central Office. (see below)
If my laboratory receives multiple kits for a given survey, does it matter on which kit I report my results?
This information is very survey- and kit-specific, and is discussed in the instructions for each survey.
I noticed an error on our evaluation; will ASHI correct our evaluation?
Whether an evaluation is corrected depends on the type of error. Participants need to contact the ASHI central office and the inquiry will be directed to the appropriate individual for review. If the error is due to your transcription error or failure to complete the result form appropriately, your entry cannot be reevaluated.
What should I do if the results were submitted too late for evaluation?
The ASHI Proficiency Testing Committee has decided that late submissions will be not be accepted or evaluated, except in extraordinary circumstances. Any such requests need to be made to the ASHI central office.
Who should I contact regarding questions, feedback, or ideas for the ASHI PT program?
Please contact Cecilia Blair at the ASHI Central Office, (phone 1-856-642-4411 or email to cblair@ahint.com)
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