External quality assessment of clinical laboratories in the United Kingdom.
A review is given of the National External Quality Assessment Schemes (NEQASs) in various pathology disciplines in the United Kingdom, with a discussion of the relative roles of the DHSS, individual laboratory scientists, and the relevant professional bodies. Principles of operation and scientific problems in the design of NEQASs in different disciplines are described and contrasted, and some comparisons with the experience in other European countries and the USA are drawn.
D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005060:Europe; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D010601:Pharmacology, Clinical; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D012016:Reference Values; D006113:United Kingdom