Proactive planning for compliant and cost-effective enrollment in clinical proficiency testing
We know the feeling: the ink is barely dry on your 2026 enrollment, and the question is already being asked: “Why are we talking about 2027?”
While it feels early, experience has shown that proactive planning is the only way to mitigate the two biggest threats to your laboratory’s mission: administrative burnout and budgetary waste. Treating Proficiency Testing (PT) as a static administrative box to be checked is a missed opportunity for significant fiscal and operational optimization.
For those managing multi-site laboratories, working with PT modules that no longer fit the needs of your actual test menu is an expensive oversight. This is particularly true for our rural laboratories; when operating with lean teams and specific clinical menus, “one-size-fits-all” PT bundles become a drain on limited resources.
As we look toward 2027, the bridge between your technical menu and optimized operations begins with a data-driven audit. By initiating this process today, you turn the 2027 enrollment into a blueprint for a leaner, more resilient, and more impactful laboratory.
The Industry Call for Flexibility
A landmark report from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), titled Use and Perceived Value of Proficiency Testing in the Clinical Laboratory, identified the high cost of inflexible PT as a “high-priority need” for the modern lab. The report highlights a clear consensus: laboratory leaders require the ability to “select analytes from a menu and be charged by the analyte” (APHL, 2012, pg 26).
This demand for modular flexibility has only intensified as clinical menus become more specialized. For rural clinics and community hospitals, paying for expansive, multi-analyte panels is an inefficient use of resources when only a fraction of those tests are performed on-site. At WSLH Proficiency Testing, we believe that successful laboratory management is rooted in proactive stewardship. By partnering with providers that offer true modularity, laboratories can support diverse clinical menus without the burden of unnecessary overhead.
How to Conduct a Data-Driven PT Audit
To assist laboratory managers in optimizing their operations, we recommend leveraging the current “quiet periods” between enrollment cycles to conduct a formal audit. This proactive approach allows for a thorough right-sizing of clinical sites without the administrative pressure of a pending testing event.
We recommend a two-step process to identify cost-saving opportunities and essential compliance gaps:
- Map the Menu to the Bench
Document every analyte performed at each site, noting the specific instrument and methodology. By comparing this “live” menu against your current PT modules, you can align your subscription to your actual benchwork for fiscal optimization.
Strategic Resource: For a deeper look at how this applies to complex platforms, see our recent guide, A Closer Look At Multiplex Panel Testing, which explores balancing comprehensive diagnostic power with efficient PT enrollment.
- Apply the “Final Rule” Filter
Compliance is the bedrock of laboratory resiliency. The 2024 CMS/CDC Final Rule (CMS-3355-F) introduced 29 new regulated analytes, including Procalcitonin and Troponin I. As part of your audit, ensure these are formally enrolled for the 2027 cycle to avoid the “unsatisfactory performance” citations that can arise from outdated enrollment profiles.
Conclusion: From Compliance to Resiliency
Whether you are managing a multi-site laboratory network or a smaller clinical laboratory, the objective for 2027 is to align quality oversight with operational reality. We invite you to utilize the quiet periods in your testing cycle to right-size your modules. By initiating your audit today, you turn the 2027 enrollment process into a blueprint for a leaner, more resilient, and more impactful laboratory. If you need more direct assistance in reviewing your test menu with a technical expert, reach out to our team anytime at WSLH Proficiency Testing at ptservice@slh.wisc.edu, or by calling (800) 462-5261.
References
Association of Public Health Laboratories. (2012). Use and perceived value of proficiency testing in the clinical laboratory. https://www.aphl.org/aboutAPHL/publications/Documents/LSS_2012Jan_Proficiency-Testing-Report.pdf
