Dorn-Beineke Alexandra, Ahmad-Nejad Parviz, Pfeiffer Ulrike, Ramsden Simon, Pazzagli Mario, Neumaier Michael
Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Clin Chem. 2006 Nov;52(11):2072-8. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.072405. Epub 2006 Sep 21.
From 2003 to 2005, the European Union supported the EQUAL-initiative to develop methodological external quality assessment (EQA) schemes for genotyping (EQUALqual), quantitative PCR (EQUALquant), and sequencing (EQUALseq). As a relevant part of the EQUALseq program, a training course was held subsequent to the first EQA Program (EQAP1). The success of this course was reassessed in a 2nd EQUALseq round (EQAP2).
In September 2005, a 3-day training course took place. We invited 8 laboratories with below-average performance in EQAP1 to improve their methodological and analytical/proficiency skills by lectures and practical work. To compare the results of the pretraining and posttraining EQUALseq rounds, we distributed 2 samples used in the first EQUAL round, but this time we provided different oligonucleotide sets. We evaluated the results by means of a previously described scoring system.
In EQAP2, 6 laboratories returned complete data sets, corresponding to an overall 14% of the 43 laboratories that had finished EQAP1. The scoring results for samples A (P=0.0025) and B (P=0.0125) demonstrated a significant improvement in EQAP2. Overall, a substantial improvement of technical and interpretative skills was demonstrated (P=0.0051). In general, the workshop experience was highly rated by the participants.
Methodologic EQAPs in DNA sequencing are appropriate tools to uncover strengths and weaknesses in both technique and proficiency, emphasizing the need for mandatory EQAPs. Training courses, together with 2nd-round reiterations, should be implemented into methodological EQAPs in molecular diagnostics to improve technical performance and proficiency in genetic testing.
2003年至2005年，欧盟支持了“平等倡议”，以制定基因分型（EQUALqual）、定量PCR（EQUALquant）和测序（EQUALseq）的方法学外部质量评估（EQA）方案。作为EQUALseq计划的一个相关部分，在第一个EQA计划（EQAP1）之后举办了一个培训课程。在第二轮EQUALseq（EQAP2）中重新评估了该课程的成效。
2005年9月举办了一个为期3天的培训课程。我们邀请了在EQAP1中表现低于平均水平的8个实验室，通过讲座和实际操作来提高他们的方法学和分析/熟练技能。为了比较培训前和培训后EQUALseq轮次的结果，我们分发了在第一轮EQUAL中使用的2个样本，但这次提供了不同的寡核苷酸组。我们通过先前描述的评分系统评估结果。
在EQAP2中，6个实验室返回了完整的数据集，占完成EQAP1的43个实验室总数的14%。样本A（P = 0.0025）和样本B（P = 0.0125）的评分结果表明EQAP2有显著改进。总体而言，技术和解释技能有了实质性提高（P = 0.0051）。一般来说，参与者对研讨会体验评价很高。
DNA测序中的方法学EQAP是发现技术和熟练程度方面优缺点的合适工具，强调了强制性EQAP的必要性。培训课程以及第二轮重复评估应纳入分子诊断的方法学EQAP中，以提高基因检测的技术性能和熟练程度。
