How Proficiency Testing Enhances Laboratory Quality and Diagnostic Accuracy, Beyond Compliance
Clinical laboratories are essential to patient care—and even minor testing errors can lead to major consequences. While proficiency testing (PT) is a regulatory requirement under CLIA, it is also one of the most effective tools laboratories can use to strengthen diagnostic accuracy, train staff, and promote a culture of quality. At WSLH Proficiency Testing, we encourage labs to look beyond compliance and use PT as a strategic asset in delivering consistent, reliable results.
Proficiency Testing as a Quality Benchmark
“Each PT event offers opportunities to evaluate SOPs, verify instrumentation accuracy, and assess result interpretation,” says Mike Argall, Director of WSLH Proficiency Testing.
For example, Mike adds, one laboratory identified a trend of elevated false positives in a specific analyte over two PT events. Because the samples were standardized, the repeated issue signaled a systemic problem rather than random variation. A review of the assay process revealed instrument calibration drift. After recalibrating equipment and providing targeted retraining, the laboratory saw improved PT scores and greater consistency in patient testing.
When unexpected outcomes occur, they can guide constructive discussions and continuous improvement efforts. Over time, PT results become powerful tools to support accreditation, internal audits, and professional development.
Pro Tip: Incorporate PT reviews into staff development plans and quality initiatives to align individual performance with organizational goals.
Using PT Data to Support Quality Management
Proficiency testing data is more than a single-event score—it’s a valuable resource for your lab’s broader quality management system. By tracking results over time, laboratories can uncover patterns that may indicate recurring issues, equipment variability, or training needs.
WSLH Proficiency Testing offers tools to make this process easier. Within PT Central, WSLH Proficiency Testing’s lab management system, participating labs can access quality management reports to review event-to-event performance.
“I can pull data very quickly and build a global report for each analyte—not just by site,” says Andrew Szczembara, Point-of-Care Coordinator, Michigan Medicine.
Andrew continued,
“The way WSLH PT handles result entry and reporting is a much smoother process for us. It’s made a noticeable difference since we switched to WSLH Proficiency Testing. Plus, the cost savings have been a great bonus.”
Whether you’re preparing for an audit or conducting internal risk assessments, PT data provides credible documentation and valuable insights to guide decision-making at every level.
From Compliance to Continuous Improvement
Laboratory professionals like Andrew and his team see PT as more than a requirement—they use it to drive excellence. Whether your lab is part of a large hospital network or an independent diagnostic facility, you can choose from any CMS-approved PT provider—or use multiple providers to best meet your testing needs.
WSLH Proficiency Testing supports laboratories accredited by CAP, COLA, and The Joint Commission.
You can request a quote at any time to compare your current PT programs with ours. Simply upload your test menu and note any additional analytes you’d like to evaluate.
Take Your Quality Strategy Further
WSLH Proficiency Testing delivers expertly designed programs and quality assurance tools that help labs build confidence, improve consistency, and support better patient outcomes.
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