Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)

Asmare Mekonnen; Ashebir Gurmessa; Adisu Kebede; Shemsu Kedir; Wondimeneh Likinew; Dereje Yenealem

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)

Asmare Mekonnen, Ashebir Gurmessa, Adisu Kebede, Shemsu Kedir, Wondimeneh Likinew, Dereje Yenealem

Received: 11 August 2020 Accepted: 21 August 2020 Published: 14 September 2020

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate international external quality assessment scheme (IEQAS) program participant laboratories in Ethiopia. Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score 80% and above. The retrospective PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 173, 275 and 334 laboratories participated in the EQA program in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively; enrollment increased from 173 laboratories in 2016 to 334 in 2018. As a result, the overall participation rate is 41% whereas failure to participate accounts 52.2% and the rest are due to reagent stock out, equipment down and test suspended during the test event; among the total PT challenges distributed and performed, the rate of scoring ACC were 66.00%, 67.61%, 67.22%, 67.35%, 67.48% and 70.87% in event 2, 3 of 2015, event 1, 2, 3 of 2016 and event 1 of 2017 respectively. Using 95% confidence interval with the hypothesized proportion of ≥ 80% to be acceptable by the ISO standard. One sample proportion test calculation showed the result generated from the laboratory is not significantly meet the standard requirement P value <0.05. The present evaluation conclude that IEQAS program in Ethiopia is not utilized for improvement in the quality of laboratory diagnostic services over time across the six PT events. The laboratory result generated from the Health facilities in Ethiopia is significantly out of the standard.

DOI	10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
Published in	American Journal of Laboratory Medicine (Volume 5, Issue 5, September 2020)
Page(s)	131-138
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

External Quality Assessment (EQA), International External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS), Proficiency Testing (PT)

References

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[2]	Sisay A, Tsegaye M, Desale A,et al. External Quality Assessment (EQA) of Randomly Blinded Rechecking Slides on TB AFB Microscopy Laboratories: A Retrospective Study, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. American Journal of Laboratory Medicine. Vol.1, No.2, Sep 2016, pp.9-15. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20160102.12.
[3]	Zeleke B, Admasu G, Getachew T et al. External Quality Assessment of Malaria Microscopy in Hawassa Health Facilities, Southern Ethiopia. Clinical Medicine Research. Vol. 4, No. 3, Mar 2015, pp. 63-68. doi: 10.11648/j.cmr.20150403.11.
[4]	Sciacovelli L, Secchiero S, Zardo L et al. The role of the External Quality Assessment in Italy. Biochemia Medica May 2010; 20 (2): 160-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.11613/BM.2010.019
[5]	Miller WG, Jones GRD, Horowitz GL, Weykamp C. Proficiency Testing/External Quality Assessment: Current Challenges and Future Directions. Clin Chem 2011; 57: 1670–80. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2011.168641.
[6]	Frantz Jean Louis, Renette Anselme, Clement Ndongmo, Josiane Buteau, Jacques Boncy, Georges Dahourou, John Vertefeuille, Barbara Marston, S. Arunmozhi Balajee; Evaluation of an External Quality Assessment Program for HIV Testing in Haiti, 2006–2011, American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Volume 140, Issue 6, 1 December 2013, Pages 867–871, https://doi.org/10.1309/AJCPYWX49IZSQKFS.
[7]	Audu RA, Onubogu CC, Okoye RN, et al. Proficiency testing for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria diagnosis in clinical laboratories in Nigeria. Afr J Lab Med. 2014; 3 (1), Art. #102, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v3i1.102.
[8]	Proficiency Testing of Hb A1c: A 4-Year Experience in Taiwan and the Asian Pacific RegionShu-Chu Shiesh, Hsiao-Mei Wiedmeyer, Jau-Tsuen Kao, Samuel D. Vasikaran, Joseph B. Lopez Clinical Chemistry Oct 2009, 55 (10) 1876-1880; DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2009.129726.
[9]	Gurmessa A, Sisay A (2017) Proficiency Test Feedback Utilization at Government Hospitals Laboratory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. J Med Diagn Meth 6: 258. doi: 10.4172/2168-9784.1000258.
[10]	Cham F, Maleka M, Masango M, et al. The World Health Organization African region external quality assessment scheme for anti-HIV serology. Afr J Lab Med. 2012; 1 (1), Art. #39, 6 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v1i1.39.
[11]	Kebede A, Kebede Y, Desale A, et al. Quality assurance for point-of-care testing: Ethiopia’s experience. Afr J Lab Med. 2016; 5 (2), a452. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v52.

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APA Style

Asmare Mekonnen, Ashebir Gurmessa, Adisu Kebede, Shemsu Kedir, Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. (2020). Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). American Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 5(5), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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ACS Style

Asmare Mekonnen; Ashebir Gurmessa; Adisu Kebede; Shemsu Kedir; Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). Am. J. Lab. Med. 2020, 5(5), 131-138. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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AMA Style

Asmare Mekonnen, Ashebir Gurmessa, Adisu Kebede, Shemsu Kedir, Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). Am J Lab Med. 2020;5(5):131-138. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11,
  author = {Asmare Mekonnen and Ashebir Gurmessa and Adisu Kebede and Shemsu Kedir and Wondimeneh Likinew and Dereje Yenealem},
  title = {Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)},
  journal = {American Journal of Laboratory Medicine},
  volume = {5},
  number = {5},
  pages = {131-138},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  abstract = {The objective of this study is to evaluate international external quality assessment scheme (IEQAS) program participant laboratories in Ethiopia. Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score 80% and above. The retrospective PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 173, 275 and 334 laboratories participated in the EQA program in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively; enrollment increased from 173 laboratories in 2016 to 334 in 2018. As a result, the overall participation rate is 41% whereas failure to participate accounts 52.2% and the rest are due to reagent stock out, equipment down and test suspended during the test event; among the total PT challenges distributed and performed, the rate of scoring ACC were 66.00%, 67.61%, 67.22%, 67.35%, 67.48% and 70.87% in event 2, 3 of 2015, event 1, 2, 3 of 2016 and event 1 of 2017 respectively. Using 95% confidence interval with the hypothesized proportion of ≥ 80% to be acceptable by the ISO standard. One sample proportion test calculation showed the result generated from the laboratory is not significantly meet the standard requirement P value <0.05. The present evaluation conclude that IEQAS program in Ethiopia is not utilized for improvement in the quality of laboratory diagnostic services over time across the six PT events. The laboratory result generated from the Health facilities in Ethiopia is significantly out of the standard.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)
AU  - Asmare Mekonnen
AU  - Ashebir Gurmessa
AU  - Adisu Kebede
AU  - Shemsu Kedir
AU  - Wondimeneh Likinew
AU  - Dereje Yenealem
Y1  - 2020/09/14
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
T2  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
JF  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
JO  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
SP  - 131
EP  - 138
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-386X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
AB  - The objective of this study is to evaluate international external quality assessment scheme (IEQAS) program participant laboratories in Ethiopia. Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score 80% and above. The retrospective PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 173, 275 and 334 laboratories participated in the EQA program in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively; enrollment increased from 173 laboratories in 2016 to 334 in 2018. As a result, the overall participation rate is 41% whereas failure to participate accounts 52.2% and the rest are due to reagent stock out, equipment down and test suspended during the test event; among the total PT challenges distributed and performed, the rate of scoring ACC were 66.00%, 67.61%, 67.22%, 67.35%, 67.48% and 70.87% in event 2, 3 of 2015, event 1, 2, 3 of 2016 and event 1 of 2017 respectively. Using 95% confidence interval with the hypothesized proportion of ≥ 80% to be acceptable by the ISO standard. One sample proportion test calculation showed the result generated from the laboratory is not significantly meet the standard requirement P value <0.05. The present evaluation conclude that IEQAS program in Ethiopia is not utilized for improvement in the quality of laboratory diagnostic services over time across the six PT events. The laboratory result generated from the Health facilities in Ethiopia is significantly out of the standard.
VL  - 5
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Asmare Mekonnen

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ashebir Gurmessa

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Adisu Kebede
Shemsu Kedir
Wondimeneh Likinew

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dereje Yenealem

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Asmare Mekonnen, Ashebir Gurmessa, Adisu Kebede, Shemsu Kedir, Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. (2020). Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). American Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 5(5), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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ACS Style

Asmare Mekonnen; Ashebir Gurmessa; Adisu Kebede; Shemsu Kedir; Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). Am. J. Lab. Med. 2020, 5(5), 131-138. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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AMA Style

Asmare Mekonnen, Ashebir Gurmessa, Adisu Kebede, Shemsu Kedir, Wondimeneh Likinew, et al. Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018). Am J Lab Med. 2020;5(5):131-138. doi: 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11,
  author = {Asmare Mekonnen and Ashebir Gurmessa and Adisu Kebede and Shemsu Kedir and Wondimeneh Likinew and Dereje Yenealem},
  title = {Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)},
  journal = {American Journal of Laboratory Medicine},
  volume = {5},
  number = {5},
  pages = {131-138},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajlm.20200505.11},
  abstract = {The objective of this study is to evaluate international external quality assessment scheme (IEQAS) program participant laboratories in Ethiopia. Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score 80% and above. The retrospective PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 173, 275 and 334 laboratories participated in the EQA program in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively; enrollment increased from 173 laboratories in 2016 to 334 in 2018. As a result, the overall participation rate is 41% whereas failure to participate accounts 52.2% and the rest are due to reagent stock out, equipment down and test suspended during the test event; among the total PT challenges distributed and performed, the rate of scoring ACC were 66.00%, 67.61%, 67.22%, 67.35%, 67.48% and 70.87% in event 2, 3 of 2015, event 1, 2, 3 of 2016 and event 1 of 2017 respectively. Using 95% confidence interval with the hypothesized proportion of ≥ 80% to be acceptable by the ISO standard. One sample proportion test calculation showed the result generated from the laboratory is not significantly meet the standard requirement P value <0.05. The present evaluation conclude that IEQAS program in Ethiopia is not utilized for improvement in the quality of laboratory diagnostic services over time across the six PT events. The laboratory result generated from the Health facilities in Ethiopia is significantly out of the standard.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Performance of International External Quality Assessment Scheme Participant Laboratories in Ethiopia (2016-2018)
AU  - Asmare Mekonnen
AU  - Ashebir Gurmessa
AU  - Adisu Kebede
AU  - Shemsu Kedir
AU  - Wondimeneh Likinew
AU  - Dereje Yenealem
Y1  - 2020/09/14
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
T2  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
JF  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
JO  - American Journal of Laboratory Medicine
SP  - 131
EP  - 138
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-386X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajlm.20200505.11
AB  - The objective of this study is to evaluate international external quality assessment scheme (IEQAS) program participant laboratories in Ethiopia. Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score 80% and above. The retrospective PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 173, 275 and 334 laboratories participated in the EQA program in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively; enrollment increased from 173 laboratories in 2016 to 334 in 2018. As a result, the overall participation rate is 41% whereas failure to participate accounts 52.2% and the rest are due to reagent stock out, equipment down and test suspended during the test event; among the total PT challenges distributed and performed, the rate of scoring ACC were 66.00%, 67.61%, 67.22%, 67.35%, 67.48% and 70.87% in event 2, 3 of 2015, event 1, 2, 3 of 2016 and event 1 of 2017 respectively. Using 95% confidence interval with the hypothesized proportion of ≥ 80% to be acceptable by the ISO standard. One sample proportion test calculation showed the result generated from the laboratory is not significantly meet the standard requirement P value <0.05. The present evaluation conclude that IEQAS program in Ethiopia is not utilized for improvement in the quality of laboratory diagnostic services over time across the six PT events. The laboratory result generated from the Health facilities in Ethiopia is significantly out of the standard.
VL  - 5
IS  - 5
ER  -

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