title: Report of an international survey of molecular genetic testing laboratories.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To collect data on the practices of molecular genetic testing (MGT) laboratories for the development of national and international policies for quality assurance (QA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey of MGT laboratory directors (n = 827; response rate 63%) in 18 countries on 3 continents. QA and reporting indices were developed and calculated for each responding laboratory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laboratory setting varied among and within countries, as did qualifications of the directors. Respondents in every country indicated that their laboratory receives specimens from outside their national borders (64%, n = 529). Pair-wise comparisons of the QA index revealed a significant association with the director having formal training in molecular genetics (p < 0.005), affiliation with a genetics unit (p = 0.003), accreditation of the laboratory (p < 0.005) and participation in proficiency testing (p < 0.005). Research labs had a lower mean report score compared to all other settings (p < 0.05) as did laboratories accessioning <150 samples per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MGT is provided under widely varying conditions and regulatory frameworks. The data provided here may be a useful guide for policy action at both governmental and professional levels.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. margaret.mcgovern@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elles
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Somerville
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hoefler
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keinanen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dequeker
authors.forename: Radim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brdicka
authors.forename: Alena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blazkova
authors.forename: Ségolène
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aymé
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schnieders
authors.forename: Clemens R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dalen
authors.forename: Armando Albert
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kristoffersson
authors.forename: Meral
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozguc
authors.forename: Hansjakob
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Ira M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Lubin
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sequeiros
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taruscio
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mainland
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikura
authors.forename: Elettra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ronchi
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007391:International Cooperation; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000592:standards; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires