AARC Addresses CDC Lab Proficiency Testing Concerns

March 14, 2007

Lab proficiency testing is receiving new attention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with a document developed by the CDC’s Proficiency Testing Working Groups.

At the CDC’s request, the AARC issued comments on behalf of the respiratory care profession in a new letter that went out to Joe Boone, PhD, the CDC’s associate director for science in the Division of Laboratory Systems.

While noting the document provides a thorough review of the issues facing proficiency testing and outlines key suggestions for modifying the process, the AARC cited several additional areas for improvement. Among the recommendations:

• Change the current system calling for users to manually transcribe results and submit a PDF form to an internet-based, interactive, fill-in-the-blanks format to reduce transcription errors and turnaround times to compare results.
• Require competency-testing for all individuals who are using devices to test patients to ensure proficiency of clinicians administering the tests.
• Limit the number of individuals using cartridge-based, handheld machines for blood gas testing, establish guidelines for a minimal level of user education on these devices, and increase the frequency of proficiency testing to ensure accuracy of the results and patient safety.

The AARC believes these changes would address key concerns regarding (1) the accuracy and timeliness of reporting results, (2) the trend among manufacturers to produce equipment that can be used by a wider range of clinicians with less education in lab testing, and (3) growing concerns regarding the less educated clinicians now using handheld blood gas machines and the alternative quality control measures in place for these devices.