Training description: Regular assessment of technical laboratory proficiency is necessary to ensure the correctness of measurements and analyses performed; it constitutes part of the quality assurance system and good laboratory practices. The basic tool used for an independent assessment of laboratory operations is a laboratory proficiency test. The laboratory proficiency procedure ensures independent, objective verification of the laboratory’s work, including a regular comparison of results achieved by different laboratories. By implementing a laboratory proficiency procedure we can verify the accuracy of analyses performed; such a procedure is also required from certified bodies to ensure compliance with the ISO 13528 and PN-EN ISO/IEC 17043 standards.
The aim of the training is to familiarise participants with guidelines and recommendations concerning laboratory proficiency testing and statistical methods used. After the course the participants will be able to individually select the right proficiency testing method, adjusted to the given case, to perform a laboratory proficiency analysis and to prepare a report on the assessment. Individual statistical issues will be discussed from a theoretical perspective and later developed through exercises. 1-Day training.
Requirements: Ability to work with a computer in the Windows environment
The course can be continued, for example with the following training options: Measurement uncertainty determination, Statistics in measurement method validation.
Training programme:
- What is the aim and benefits of laboratory proficiency testing?
- How can we choose the best proficiency testing plan?
- What are the basic statistical methods used in proficiency testing?
- What are the basic laboratory proficiency measures?
- How to interpret results of the tests?
- What are the basic causes of errors in proficiency testing?
- How to use results of proficiency testing to improve laboratory efficiency?
- Example laboratory proficiency test report.
- Methods of determining the attributed value and the standard deviation
- Methods of assessing laboratory proficiency with the use of different ratios
- Graphical methods of presenting ratios with action limits and warnings
- Methods of monitoring laboratory proficiency over time with the use of control charts
- Methods used to identify outliers
