Evaluating proficiency testing implementation and identifying challenges that government comprehensive specialized hospital laboratories in northwest Ethiopia faced as they participated in the external quality assessment scheme: A document-based, interview-driven evaluation.

Autor:	Cherie N; Department of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia., Adane K; Department of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia., Wolde M; Department of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia., Nigus M; Department of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia., Deress T; Department of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	American journal of clinical pathology [Am J Clin Pathol] 2024 Sep 03; Vol. 162 (3), pp. 261-268.
DOI:	10.1093/ajcp/aqae037
Abstrakt:	Objectives: To assess the implementation of proficiency testing in the northwest Ethiopian government comprehensive specialized hospital laboratories, with a focus on identifying and understanding the challenges encountered during their participation in the external quality assessment scheme. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 comprehensive specialized hospitals in northwest Ethiopia, analyzing 41 documented laboratory test parameters from 2020 to 2022. In addition, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were carried out to identify the major challenges the participating institutions faced. Results: The study covered a total of 41 tests across 9 cycles. Overall, proper implementation of proficiency testing was observed in 59.3% of the tests, with 61.8% maintaining consistent implementation status over 3 consecutive years. In addition, the overall performance of the laboratory was 54.3%, with a 68.7% participation rate. The predominantly identified challenges included the lack of participation, insufficient reagents and supplies, inadequacy of suitable proficiency testing materials, equipment malfunction and downtime, lack of management support, insufficient budget, and inadequate training and awareness. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the ineffective implementation of proficiency testing. Contributing factors include personnel issues, equipment and supplies challenges, managerial shortcomings, difficulties with proficiency testing providers, budgetary constraints, and a lack of training and motivation. (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pathology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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