{"id":191550,"date":"2025-07-18T08:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T11:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/?post_type=encontros_online&p=191550"},"modified":"2026-03-30T11:10:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T14:10:28","slug":"unraveling-proficiency-testing-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"encontros_online","link":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/learning\/online-meeting\/unraveling-proficiency-testing-part-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Unraveling Proficiency Testing \u2013 Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The class was taught by Juliana Barroso, a biologist specializing in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and In Vitro Diagnostics (Unigranrio<\/a>), and Technical Supervisor of Service Management at Controllab<\/a>.<\/p>

This session continues the class \u201cUnraveling Proficiency Testing<\/strong>\u201d which demonstrated the interaction between the laboratory and the service, helping with prevention and potential improvements related to the effective use of the tool. If you haven\u2019t watched the first part, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Questions & Answers<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The following questions were not addressed during the Online Meeting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI would like to know if there is an internal microbiology control result available, or if the laboratory performs it itself?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In general, internal controls related to the microbiology area (AFB, GRAM, Reference Strains, Certified Reference Materials, etc.) come with documents (inserts or certificates) that describe the qualitative results that should be obtained from the analysis of these materials. Considering the Reference Strains and Certified Reference Materials, for monitoring microorganism counts, the laboratory can perform sequential analyses that allow it to define its own metrics.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor cell counts and differentiations by image (hematoscopy, CSF cytology), is it possible to fix the image field (virtual slide)? This would avoid subjectivity in selecting fields and standardize the field for all participants. Is that an option?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

At the moment, we are not able to implement this procedure. However, we emphasize that participants\u2019 suggestions are always welcome and taken into account during our internal discussions focused on the continuous improvement of our services.<\/p>

It\u2019s important to note that, although we take great care in preparing the materials provided to participants, slight variations in the distribution of different structures on the slides may occur. For this reason, we recommend that all digitized areas be fully analyzed to assess the impact of such variations on the count, as a partial analysis of the case may compromise the final result.<\/p>

Additionally, we define evaluation ranges to account for these small variations, so an exact count result is not required in such cases.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt would be helpful if the evaluation of each module already included a summarized count of total satisfactory, unsatisfactory, not performed, not evaluated, and educational results.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Currently, both the \u201cControl Center\u201d and the \u201cCumulative Summary\u201d display the laboratory\u2019s overall performance for each assay throughout the year\u2014information that can support laboratories in their critical analysis. However, your suggestion will be taken into consideration in our internal discussions focused on the continuous improvement of our services.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs there any material I can use to guide how to fill out the spreadsheet \u201cPERFORMANCE ANALYSIS IN PROFICIENCY TESTING\u201d available on Controllab\u2019s website for the Veterinary sector?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The form itself contains some instructions for completing it. However, if you have any questions, we recommend contacting our customer service team so we can provide further clarification.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI recently had issues with material delivery by the postal service, and I don\u2019t feel that Controllab provided sufficient support in this matter. I received completely thawed samples, and when I contacted Controllab, the only response I got was that the delay was the fault of the postal service. Should I proceed with testing using samples in this condition?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The materials sent for quality control purposes are packaged to remain stable despite variations in transport conditions. Most of the materials are lyophilized, which significantly reduces the impact of temperature on their stability. The more sensitive materials undergo testing to assess the potential for loss or deterioration during shipping.<\/p>

However, we strongly recommend that participants contact Controllab whenever there is any concern about the stability of the received materials. This allows us to provide proper guidance regarding whether to proceed with the analysis, request a replacement, or monitor the results for potential impacts.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the response time for inquiries sent to atendimento@controllab.com.br? We face significant difficulty in closing cases, as new rounds are released before the previous ones are resolved, even after completing all internal procedures and consulting with the equipment's technical support.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

We acknowledge that timely responses are essential to support laboratories in their investigations and corrective actions. In the case of technical inquiries, longer response times are often due to situations that require in-depth investigations, consultations with specialists, or contact with suppliers and equipment manufacturers. While this process is essential to ensure the quality of the responses, it may impact the turnaround time.<\/p>

Additionally, some discussions may extend over the course of the cumulative year, which also directly affects the response time. In such cases, we can provide partial feedback before a final conclusion is reached.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the response time for questions sent to Controllab? Critical analysis of nonconformities and root cause investigations often depend on receiving timely responses to these inquiries.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

We acknowledge that timely responses are essential to support laboratories in their investigations and corrective actions. In the case of technical inquiries, longer response times are often due to situations that require in-depth investigations, consultations with specialists, or contact with suppliers and equipment manufacturers. While this process is essential to ensure the quality of the responses, it may impact the turnaround time.<\/p>

Additionally, some discussions may extend over the course of the cumulative year, which also directly affects the response time. In such cases, we can provide partial feedback before a final conclusion is reached.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Controllab\u2019s Indicators and Benchmarking program, there is an indicator where we need to report the \u201cTotal number of results evaluated in the PT\u201d and the \u201cTotal number of unsatisfactory results in the PT.\u201d Where does Controllab make this information easily accessible?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Regarding laboratory indicators, we recommend watching the recording of the Metricare Online Forum. It is available at Help > Metricare > Videos and Tutorials > https:\/\/controllab.com\/videos-e-tutoriais\/forum-online-metricare-ensaio-de-proficiencia-ep\/<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur laboratory has difficulty filling out the benchmarking indicator for proficiency testing performance, as the indicator is monthly and Controllab usually takes more than a month to make the evaluation reports available. How should we proceed?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Regarding laboratory indicators, we recommend watching the recording of the Metricare Online Forum. It is available at Help > Metricare > Videos and Tutorials > https:\/\/controllab.com\/videos-e-tutoriais\/forum-online-metricare-ensaio-de-proficiencia-ep\/<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn the benchmarking report, we are reporting the data submitted in the month without considering the specific round. What is the standard procedure for this?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Regarding laboratory indicators, we recommend watching the recording of the Metricare Online Forum. It is available at Help > Metricare > Videos and Tutorials > https:\/\/controllab.com\/videos-e-tutoriais\/forum-online-metricare-ensaio-de-proficiencia-ep\/<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs there any project to link the proficiency testing evaluation data (total evaluated and total unsatisfactory results) to the benchmarking indicator that assesses the laboratory\u2019s performance in PT? Currently, this tallying process is entirely manual and very labor-intensive.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Regarding laboratory indicators, we recommend watching the recording of the Metricare Online Forum. It is available at Help > Metricare > Videos and Tutorials > https:\/\/controllab.com\/videos-e-tutoriais\/forum-online-metricare-ensaio-de-proficiencia-ep\/<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"featured_media":191536,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"encontro_online_cat":[2861],"idioma-do-video":[2871],"segmento":[2830],"class_list":["post-191550","encontros_online","type-encontros_online","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","encontro_online_cat-quality","idioma-do-video-portuguese","segmento-clinical"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encontros_online\/191550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encontros_online"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encontros_online"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encontros_online\/191550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":209927,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encontros_online\/191550\/revisions\/209927"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/191536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=191550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encontro_online_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encontro_online_cat?post=191550"},{"taxonomy":"idioma-do-video","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/idioma-do-video?post=191550"},{"taxonomy":"segmento","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/controllab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/segmento?post=191550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}