title: [Making best use of external quality assessment].
abstract: To receive a maximum benefit from external quality assessment, the laboratory has to fulfill certain requirements. There have to be standard operating procedures and checklists for the correct sample processing and analysis. It is equally important, that the staff has a basic understanding how this quality-tools work and that detected errors are used as a chance to improve the processes within the laboratory. The benefit of surveys for external quality assessment is not only limited to the analytical phase, but also to some aspects of the pre and post-analytical processes. Due to the many participants, the survey providers are able to collect a lot of practical knowledge. All participants can learn from this by reading the survey reports and commentaries. With this, and with special educational surveys, the providers of surveys are able to offer an opportunity of continuous education to the laboratories.
authors: Verein für medizinische Qualitätskontrolle, Zürich.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Fried
mesh_terms: D064790:Clinical Laboratory Services / Q000592:standards*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013557:Switzerland