title: Continuous assessment of performance in External Quality Assessment Schemes.
abstract: A simple, standardised procedure was used for processing data from External Quality Assessment Schemes and for producing performance charts. A graphic presentation of cumulative performance is generated for each test, using an integrated software package to display results in a standardised format. This permits interpretation of satisfactory and poor performances and facilitates identification of "outlying" results. Although most results are recorded as Deviation Indices, the system is flexible and can be used to present other performance variables, such as Percentage Deviations and relevant textual information relating to interpretative assessments. It is therefore readily adaptable for use by other pathology disciplines.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Clinical and Laboratory Haematology, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ardern
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urmston
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burn
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Geary
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004739:England; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006405:Hematology / Q000592:standards*; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*