Annual Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Special Protein in Korea (2017)

ABSTRACT

In 2017, the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service developed a special protein proficiency testing program that consisted of nine quantitative test items. This program was conducted twice a year using three-level control materials. Data and results of each test item were analyzed by respective institutions according to the test instruments. The report was prepared by dividing it into a common report that showed the characteristics of all the participating institutions and an organization-specific report that showed the assessment data of individual institutions. The following statistical data were presented the number of participating institutions per group, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, median, minimum value, and maximum value. The individual report was composed of a table, histogram, and Levey-Jennings chart showing the statistics for each test item. The results of the assessment of each institution and the statistical data for each classification are presented in a table, and a standard deviation index for both the company classification and classification by instruments was provided. Overall, no significant difference was observed between the number of participating institutions and the distribution of test equipment. The coefficient of variation tended to be relatively high for each test item because the concentration of quality control materials was low and the number of participating institutions was small. I believe that these statistical analysis data are useful for analyzing external quality control results of the institutions and selecting an immunoassay test instrument for special protein.