Use of external quality assessment in extra-analytical phases in clinical laboratories in Spain: a survey by the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC).

OBJECTIVES

Quality indicators (QIs) are a valuable tool for monitoring and improving extra-analytical phase performance in the clinical laboratory (CL). For that reason, the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC) launched its Pre-analytical Phase EQA Program in 2001.

METHODS

In 2023, a survey was conducted to assess the level of participation in the EQA Program, identify its potential improvements, and enhance the understanding of the collection and estimation processes of the extra-analytical QI.

RESULTS

In total, 51 % of respondents (124 responses in total) were enrolled in the program. The primary reason for participating was the need of monitoring of the extra-analytical phases (38 %). In contrast, the main reason for not taking part in the EQA Program was the difficulty in collecting data (32 %). As to potential points for improvement, 56 % considered that QI should be analyzed disaggregated by type of extraction (ambulatory vs. urgent). As many as 86 % of respondents would be interested in participating in a post-analytical phase EQA Program. Most of the suggestions about indicators to be included were related to events regarding temperature and transport times from peripheral extraction sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Although interest in QIs for pre- and post-analytical phases is growing, the percentage of laboratories that collect data regularly is still limited. The findings of this survey have led the future directions for the EQA Pre-analytical Program, updating and adapting it to the current needs of CLs.