1 – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

Assessment of laboratory accuracy by participating in periodic blind surveys.

Registration for a control program includes the supply of control specimens or digitized supports, statistical processing, the expertise of expert biologists and the annual report.

Reports are sent by e-mail (attached PDF file and download link).

The confidentiality of your results is guaranteed through the assignment of an anonymity number. This number is linked to a single geographical site. Reports, registration certificates, and annual summaries are linked to this laboratory code.

The transfer of samples between geographical sites is not allowed; statistical processing for a second analytical system on the same sample is restricted to the same geographical site.

Unless otherwise specified, registration in an EQA program allows the monitoring of two analytical systems (or two techniques) located at the same geographical site of a medical biology laboratory.

If you have more than 2 systems additional registrations are required.

Our liability cannot be incurred if you do not comply with these instructions.

2 – CONTROL MATERIALS

Control samples are appropriate for the tests performed. They are either:

• Of Products manufactured by private companies according to our specifications and tested by ProBioQual
• Fresh human control samples conditioned on our premises.
• Of Digitalized materials.

3 – YEARLY EQA WORKFLOW

1 - ProBioQual sends: :

• The registration certificate at the beginning of the program
• The documentation relating to the functioning of the program: the technical note specific to each EQA, which provides all the necessary information to carry out your EQA in addition to the general instructions common to all our programs.
• The control specimens (delivered in one or several shipments) or digitized materials.

2 – Based on the schedule, the lab sends its results via internet to ProBioQual (in case of problems, fax or email is possible, only on the reply slip ).

3 – ProBioQual statistically processes the results and compares them with your peer group(N≥7), then sends you an invidual report. The report includes:

• Individual assessment of your results: scores, z-score, position on the bar chart, calculated bias, graphical trends for z-scores, comments and« long term » CV .
• Statistical evaluation of the results of all participants: robust means, CVs, acceptability limits, distribution bar chart and when possible the Youden plot.
• Interpretation and comments from the expert clinical biologists who coordinate the program.

4 -At the end of the program, ProBioQual sends the lab a statement of participation, as well as an annual summary report with the scores, z-scores and bias for each test

5 – You can extract all your results and statistical data in Excel format throughout the year via the “Visualization interface” tab in your user account.

To view an example of an EQA report: Click here

4 - REMOTE TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS

Time saving and limitation of input errors

Automatic transmission of EQA results in HPRIM, HL7, or CDA* format is possible for the majority of analytes with quantitative results.

warning This option does not apply to qualitative results (serology, bacteriology, toxicology identification, etc.).

This service is free, provided that your laboratory can send files via one of the following platforms:

• MSSanté*
• Bioserveur
• Apicrypt

It is also possible, exceptionally, to send files by unencrypted email.

HPRIM/HL7 formats do not allow coding of the techniques or devices used. It is therefore the laboratory’s responsibility to verify the codes associated with its results upon receipt of the acknowledgment of submission and to correct them if necessary via the member area.

To receive the detailed operating procedure, write to us at: secretariat@probioqual.com

*Available during 2026