External Proficiency Testing and Inter-Laboratory Comparisons (ILC) Workshop

Inter-Laboratory Comparisons & Proficiency Testing Workshop

Workshop IndexDuration: 3 Days

Use the index to navigate the workshop sections and open quick reference modals for scope, audience, outcomes, delivery, policies, and FAQs.

Quick Summary Overview & Outcomes Agenda & Hands-on Deliverables & FAQs

Quick View Who Should Attend Outcomes Delivery Policies FAQs

Quick Summary

Quality AssuranceHands-on WorkshopISO Aligned

At-a-glance: PT / ILC design, statistics, and CAPA workflow

Understand external proficiency testing (PT) , inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC) , and where EQA fits your lab program.

PTILCEQA

Build a practical plan for sample handling, chain-of-custody, timelines, and data integrity for ring trials.

Ring TrialChain Of CustodyData Integrity

Work through scoring methods used in PT/ILC: z-score, robust mean/SD, En, and performance interpretation.

Z-ScoreRobust StatsEn Number

Translate findings into corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) with root-cause analysis and evidence.

CAPARoot CauseEvidence

Align PT/ILC documentation to ISO 17043 concepts and lab accreditation expectations (where applicable) .

ISO 17043AccreditationTraceability

Produce a ready-to-use PT/ILC playbook: roles, checklists, acceptance criteria, and reporting templates.

PlaybookChecklistsTemplates

Overview

Lab Quality SystemsCase StudiesAudit Ready

Scope, audience fit, and measurable learning outcomes

Clarify when to use PT vs ILC vs internal QC, and how each supports verification, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Quality ControlQuality AssuranceContinuous Improvement

Define performance specifications: bias, precision, allowable error, and uncertainty-based acceptance limits.

BiasPrecisionUncertainty

Map roles and responsibilities: technical lead, quality manager, analysts, data reviewer, and sign-off authority.

RolesGovernanceReview

Identify common failure modes: sample mix-ups, transcription errors, instrument drift, method changes, and contamination.

Pre-AnalyticalAnalyticalPost-Analytical

Learn how PT/ILC supports method validation, verification, and harmonization across sites or partner labs.

ValidationVerificationHarmonization

Apply outcome-driven reporting: interpret scores, document investigations, and communicate actions to stakeholders.

InterpretationInvestigationCommunication

Agenda

StatisticsHands-on LabsPractice First

3-day plan: design, execute, analyze, and close the loop

Day 1: PT/ILC fundamentals, program planning, provider selection, and building a yearly participation matrix.

Program PlanProvider ReviewRisk Based

Day 1 Hands-on: draft acceptance criteria and a PT/ILC SOP section for sample receipt, processing, and reporting.

SOPAcceptance CriteriaDocumentation

Day 2: statistical scoring and interpretation: assigned value, consensus value, robust algorithms, and uncertainty concepts.

Assigned ValueConsensusRobust SD

Day 2 Hands-on: compute z-scores and En, create trend charts, and classify performance (satisfactory, warning, action) .

Z-ScoreTrendingPerformance Rules

Day 3: investigations and CAPA: root cause methods, containment, effectiveness checks, and management review inputs.

RCACAPAEffectiveness

Day 3 Hands-on: write a complete PT/ILC closure report with evidence, deviations, actions, and audit-ready attachments.

Closure ReportAudit TrailAttachments

Deliverables

TemplatesOperationalReusable

What you take back: documents, checklists, and FAQ guidance

PT/ILC annual plan template: participation matrix, risk-based prioritization, and review cadence.

Annual PlanRisk MatrixCadence

Sample handling and reporting checklist: chain-of-custody, traceability, and data verification steps.

TraceabilityVerificationRecord Control

Scoring worksheet examples: z-score, robust mean/SD, En, and performance classification rules.

Z-ScoreRobust MeanEn

Investigation and CAPA pack: RCA prompts, action tracking log, and effectiveness verification checklist.

CAPAAction LogEffectiveness Check

Audit-ready closure report template: deviations, evidence, impact assessment, and management review inputs.

ClosureAudit ReadyManagement Review

FAQ guidance: participation frequency, method changes, result disputes, confidentiality, and multi-site harmonization.

FrequencyMethod ChangeConfidentiality

Quick View Who Should Attend Outcomes Delivery Policies FAQs

Inter-Laboratory Comparisons & Proficiency Testing Workshop

Master external proficiency testing (PT) and inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC) : planning, execution, statistics, CAPA, and ISO-aligned reporting.

External Proficiency Testing and Inter-Laboratory Comparisons (ILC) Workshop

Overview

Who should attend

Learning outcomes

Agenda

Hands-on / Demonstrations

Deliverables

FAQ