Schemes and Performance Evaluation Criteria of Korean Association of External Quality Assessment (KEQAS) for Improving Laboratory Testing

Abstract

External quality assessment (EQA) is important for evaluating clinical laboratories and enhancing their testing quality. EQA schemes are variable; thus, it is crucial that the EQA organizers share their experiences to continuously improve the EQA scheme. The Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KEQAS) has been the leading, authorized EQA institute for the standardization and quality management of laboratory testing in Korean medical institutions since 1976. The EQA scheme underwent a major change in 2016, and the number of EQA programs increased significantly since then. The key changes implemented in EQA scheme include a fully computerized assessment to accelerate feedback and unification of the testing and reporting methods. We provide an overview of the EQA schemes and performance evaluation criteria of the KEQAS and suggest directions for achieving the global harmonization of EQA.

External quality assessment for dual detection of HBsAg and anti-HCV in serum

“…The results of HBsAg and anti-HCV tests on EQA panel samples and information from participants were collected and analyzed using Excel 2016 software. Data analysis was based on group-consensus analysis method 20 . The reference result was the result with 80% similar level among participated laboratories in the same method 21 .…”

Inter‐laboratory comparison of semiquantitative allergen‐specific Immunoglobulin E test: 7 years of experience in Korea

“… 12 In this study, EQA for semiquantitative IgE results was analyzed by applying the performance evaluation criteria of KEQAS. 9 Koch and Aberer analyzed the EQA of the Austrian allergy test for 25 years with an acceptable range of ±1 or 2 of the most frequent values. Also, for a positive sample, a case where the answer was higher than the acceptable answer by grade 2 or negative, and for a negative sample reported as positive was defined as unacceptable.…”

“…The acceptable class values were defined the most frequently reported MAST class ±1 titer that exceeded 80% of the total laboratories according to the performance evaluation criteria of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment (KEQAS) for semiquantitative tests. 9 If the sum of the most frequent class and +/− 1 grade was below 80%, the acceptable ranges was not determined and defined as a nonconsensus result. Nonconsensus results were excluded from further analysis.…”

Report of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service on Peripheral Blood Smear Testing for Malaria in 2020

“…말라리아 검출 및 종 감별 문항은 KEQAS의 정성검사 판정기준 에 따라 참여기관의 80% 이상의 일치를 보이는 결과를 intended response로 판정하였다 [10]. 말라리아 원충 정량 문항은 KEQAS 의 정량검사 판정기준에 따라 각 기관에 대해 표준편차지수 (standard deviation index, SDI)를 산정하고 3SDI를 넘는 경우 'unacceptable'로 판정하였다 [10]. 다만 공통된 이미지를 보고…”