Proficiency Testing and External Quality Assessment for Molecular Microbiology

The increased reliance on molecular test results for critical patient management decisions demands that those results be relevant, robust, and reliable from all laboratories that produce them. Commenting on the history of quality control (QC) and proficiency testing, F. William Sunderman, MD, a leading pioneer in clinical biochemistry laboratory standardization, stated, “There can be no more important task for the director of a clinical laboratory than to assess the precision and accuracy of the analytical procedures under his/her supervision. Maintenance of high standards of analysis not only serves as a scientific stimulus for the laboratory but is also of direct benefit to patients” (1).