Annual Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Routine Hematology in Korea (2016)

ABSTRACT

Under the Routine Hematology Program of Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, proficiency tests for complete blood count (CBC) and blood cell morphology were performed during 2016. We conducted two trials, and sent three level control materials for CBC testing and posted two cell morphology pictures on the website for each trial. Of 1,455 laboratories, the mean response rates for CBC and blood cell morphology were 96.3% and 40.4%, respectively. The distribution of equipment for CBC test was similar to that of previous year. The coefficient of variations for white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet counts, were 3.8%–4.5%, 1.9%–2.3%, 1.4%–2.8%, 4.8%–5.8%, and 6.2%–9.4%, respectively. More than 80% of the blood cell morphology tests were concordant in all trials. In 2016, the number of participating laboratories increased, and the performance was similar to that of the previous year.