Evaluation of an external quality assessment program for HIV testing in Haiti, 2006-2011.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an external quality assessment (EQA) program for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid diagnostics testing by the Haitian National Public Health Laboratory (French acronym: LNSP). Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score more than 80%.


METHODS
The PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 242 laboratories participated in the EQA program from 2006 through 2011; participation increased from 70 laboratories in 2006 to 159 in 2011.


RESULTS
In 2006, 49 (70%) laboratories had a PT score of 80% or above; by 2011, 145 (97.5%) laboratories were proficient (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The EQA program for HIV testing ensures quality of testing and allowed the LNSP to document improvements in the quality of HIV rapid testing over time.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Embassy, Tabarre 41, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; yjeanlouis@cdc.gov.
Frantz Jean
FJ
Louis
Renette
R
Anselme
Clement
C
Ndongmo
Josiane
J
Buteau
Jacques
J
Boncy
Georges
G
Dahourou
John
J
Vertefeuille
Barbara
B
Marston
S Arunmozhi
SA
Balajee
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006205:Haiti; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
External quality assessment; HIV rapid tests; Proficiency testing