Development of external quality control panels for anti-HCV serological testing

Abstract

One of the criteria for evaluating the quality of laboratories is test results of panel provided by external quality assessment. The aim of this study was to develop EQA panels for the profciency anti-HCV serological testing with an optimal number of samples, meeting homogeneity and stability. Designed panel has 12 samples including negative, positive and “weak” positive
samples which are aseptic and tested to ensure their homogeneity, stability. These samples were applied in the EQA for anti-HCV serological test, taking place in 99 laboratories in Southern and Central Highland areas of Vietnam. The results suggest that all samples of panel meet the homogeneity (CV<10%) and aseptic; stable in 20 days at room temperature and 60 days at 2-8oC and transport condition. Based on 102 results from 99 laboratories, optimal panel includes 3 negative, 3 positive, 2 “weak” positive samples. The EQA panels for anti-HCV serological test were developed in order to use widely in the profciency test for testing laboratories in Viet Nam.