Proficiency Test Terminology

Unsatisfactory PT Performance

Definition	Failure to attain the minimum satisfactory score for an analyte, test, subspecialty or specialty for a test event
Example	The laboratory scores 60% for glucose on a testing event

Unsuccessful PT Performance

Definition

Failure to attain the minimum satisfactory score for an analyte, test, subspecialty, or specialty for 2 consecutive or 2 out of 3 consecutive testing events

Example

1^st event 60% (fail)
2^nd event 40% (fail)

Example

1^stevent 60% (fail)
2^ndevent 100% (pass)
3^rd event 40% (fail)

Repeatedly Unsuccessful PT Performance

Definition

Failure to attain the minimum satisfactory score for an analyte, test, subspecialty, or specialty for 3 consecutive or 3 out of 4 testing events in a rolling time frame.

Please note- repeatedly unsuccessful can also be defined as 3 out of 5 testing events so long as there were not 2 passing events in a row out of the 5 events.

Example

Example of 3 out of 4:

1st event: 60% (fail)
2nd event: 40% (fail)
3rd event: 100% (pass)
4th event: 40% (fail)

Example of 3 out of 5:

1st event: 60% (fail)
2nd event: 100%(pass)
3rd event: 40% (fail)
4th event: 100% (pass)
5th event: 0% (fail)

Sample

Definition

The material contained in a vial, on a slide, or other unit that contains material to be tested by the proficiency testing participants

Non-regulated test analytes

Definition	Analytes and tests not listed in Subpart I
Examples	Testosterone, total PSA, MCH, RDW, allergens and FISH images

Department of Health, Wadsworth Center

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Proficiency Test Terminology

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