Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Hemoglobin A1c in Korea (2016–2017)

ABSTRACT

As part of the clinical chemistry programs of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, we organized trials to conduct external quality assessment of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in 2016 and 2017. We delivered three commutable whole blood specimens for each trial. The overall response rates were 96.4% in 2016 and 98.4% and 99.6% in the first and second trials in 2017, respectively. Two types of reports were generated a common report including the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, median, minimum value, and maximum value according to manufacturer and instrument, as well as a summary report of the results from each participating laboratory, including a histogram for each specimen, Levey-Jennings chart for serial percent deviations, and table showing the target value, upper and lower limits, percent deviation, and grade. From 2016, the acceptance criterion was changed from ±8.0% to ±6.7%. The overall acceptable rates for the survey were 91.5%, 91.4%, 94.9%, and 89.0% for the first trial in 2016 through the second trial in 2017, respectively. The requisite continual improvement in the quality of HbA1c testing can be achieved through participation in similar accuracy-based proficiency testing programs.