title: The Italian National External quality assessment program in molecular genetic testing: results of the VII round (2010-2011).
abstract: Since 2001 the Istituto Superiore di Sanità established a quality assurance programme for molecular genetic testing that covers four pathologies: Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Beta Thalassemia (BT), Fragile X Syndrome (FX), and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC). Since 2009 this activity is an institutional activity and participation is open to both public and private laboratories. Seven rounds have been performed until now and the eighth is in progress. Laboratories receive 4 DNA samples with mock clinical indications. They analyze the samples using their routine procedures. A panel of assessors review the raw data and the reports; all data are managed through a web utility. In 2010 the number of participants was 43, 17, 15, 5 for CF, BT, FX, APC schemes respectively. Genotyping results were correct in 96%, 98.5%, 100%, and 100% of CF, BT, FX, and APC samples, respectively. Interpretation was correct in 74%, 91%, 88%, and 60% of CF, BT, FX, and APC reports, respectively; however in most of them it was not complete but a referral to genetic counseling was given. Reports were satisfactory in more than 60% of samples in all schemes. This work presents the 2010 results in detail comparing our data with those from other European schemes.
authors.affiliation: National Centre of Rare Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Censi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tosto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Floridia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Baffico
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pelo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Radice
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravani
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosatelli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Resta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varesco
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taruscio
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*