Annual Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Transfusion Medicine in Korea (2017)

ABSTRACT

Here, we have reported results of the surveys on the external quality assessment scheme (EQA) of the Transfusion Medicine Program (TMP) in Korea that were carried out in 2017. The proficiency testing specimens were prepared at Ajou University Hospital, and sent to the participants biannually. The average accuracy rates (N=the number of participants) for ten different test items on the regular survey were as follows ABO typing, 99.1%–99.9% (N=714); RhD typing, 99.3%–100.0% (N=695); crossmatching, 88.9%–98.5% (N=618); ABO subtyping, 80.7% and 96.0% (N=51); Rh CcEe antigen testing, 98.8%–100.0% (N=51); weak D test, 99.3% and 100.0 (N=150); antibody screening, 98.6%–100.0% (N=295); direct antiglobulin test (DAT) using a poly-specific reagent, 99.2%–100.0 (N=256); DAT using an immunoglobulin-G monospecific reagent, all 100.0% (N=68); DAT using a C3d-monospecific reagent, 83.6%–100.0% (N=72); antibody identification, 88.7%–99.2% (N=123); and ABO Ab titration, 84.6%–100.0% (N=73). The number of participants for the EQA for TMP in 2017 was much higher than that in 2016. Except for the case of ABO subtyping, excellent survey results for the 2017 EQA for TMP were obtained, compared to those in 2016. Thus, the EQA for TMP in 2017 should be helpful for improving the quality of the participating laboratories.