title: Participation and performance in INSTAND multi-analyte molecular genetics external quality assessment schemes from 2006 to 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  INSTAND e.V. has provided Molecular Genetics Multi-Analyte EQA schemes since 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  EQA participation and performance were assessed from 2006 - 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2006 to 2012, the number of analytes in the Multi-Analyte EQA schemes rose from 17 to 53. Total number of results returned rose from 168 in January 2006 to 824 in August 2012. The overall error rate was 1.40 +/- 0.84% (mean +/- SD, N = 24 EQA dates). From 2006 to 2012, no analyte was reported 100% correctly. Individual participant performance was analysed for one common analyte, Lactase (LCT) T-13910C. From 2006 to 2012, 114 laboratories participated in this EQA. Of these, 10 laboratories (8.8%) reported at least one wrong result during the whole observation period. All laboratories reported correct results after their failure incident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the low overall error rate, EQA will continue to be important for Molecular Genetics.
authors.forename: Friedrich E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Maly
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spannagl
mesh_terms: D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic