Proficiency testing of reticulocyte counting in Ontario.

The reticulocyte count reflects the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow and is thus useful in both the approach to the diagnosis of anemia and in monitoring bone marrow response to therapy. Traditionally, reticulocyte quantitation relied upon microscopic techniques; recently automated reticulocyte quantitation has become widely available. External quality assessment (EQA) of reticulocyte quantitation has not been widely reported; this paper presents data from reticulocyte EQA surveys conducted in Ontario between November 2000 and October 2004.

In-house calibration of the international sensitivity index or calibration curve for determination of the international normalized ratio.

Context: The international normalized ratio (INR) has been used since 1983 to standardize prothrombin time results for patients on oral anticoagulants. However, significant interlaboratory variations have been noted. Attempts have been made to address these differences with the use of instrument-specific International Sensitivity Index (ISI) values and in-house calibration of ISI values.

Good practice guidelines for laboratory investigation of hemoglobinopathies.

A review of the Quality Management Program-Laboratory Services (QMP-LS) hemoglobin fraction quantitation/hemoglobinopathy investigation surveys revealed recurrent errors in diagnosis of carrier genotypes for serious hemoglobinopathies. To address these concerns, QMP-LS developed guidelines for laboratory investigation of hemoglobinopathy syndromes. The guidelines are based on current practice in the province of Ontario, expert opinion in the field, and a review of recent literature.

Fetal-maternal hemorrhage detection in Ontario.

The results from fetal-maternal hemorrhage (FMH) detection and quantitation external quality assessment surveys conducted in Ontario indicate that the rosette test had a sensitivity and specificity for an FMH of more than 10 mL of 1.0 and 0.75, respectively, compared with 0.

Compliance with NCCLS approved standard M22-A2 for bacteriologic media quality assurance: a survey of 124 Ontario microbiology laboratories.

Objective: The purpose of this QMP-LS patterns-of-practice survey was to determine quality assurance (QA) processes used in Ontario for purchased and in-house culture media, and compliance with recommended practices.

Methods: QMP-LS required laboratories to submit copies of media QC records for August to October 1998. Target media were blood agar, chocolate agar, MacConkey agar, sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC), Campylobacter agar, and selective media for pathogenic Neisseria spp.