Proficiency Testing Schemes
Proficiency testing schemes (PTS) are regularly organized interlaboratory comparisons to determine the testing performance of laboratories, which test the same or similar items. Most PTS involve the distribution to each participant of a sample taken from a bulk material whose homogeneity has been satisfactorily established. The participants are then given a set period to return results of the analysis to the organiser, who collates and scores results according to a pre-determined procedure. Results are distributed to the participants, so that each participant can assess their results in relation to the assigned value and target value of standard deviation. A typical PT scheme distributes test materials at a regular intervals, thus providing an on-going assessment of laboratory performance. Organisers also provide active feedback, guidance and advice to participants, to facilitate improvements in data quality.
More information on PT schemes can be found at: European Proficiency Testing Information System: http://www.eptis.bam.de/ Institute for Interlaboratory Studies: http://www.iisnl.com/
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