title: How well should laboratories perform in proficiency tests.
abstract: The long-term performance of laboratories is examined using results from three proficiency testing programmes in the water and environmental monitoring sector. A medium term proficiency test pass rate of greater than approximately 75% is suggested as a minimum target for routine analysis to demonstrate fitness for purpose. This pass rate is proposed as a practical yardstick to be used by QA managers and accreditation bodies. This recommendation is contingent on a laboratory's continued and largely uninterrupted participation in a PT programme.
authors.affiliation: WRc, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wilts, UK SN5 8YF. gardner_mj@wrcplc.co.uk
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dobbs
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis