Product Focus: Proficiency Testing

Full service proficiency testing program

AAFP-Proficiency Testing (AAFP-PT) is a full service proficiency testing program designed to assist physician office labs (POLs), clinics, and small hospitals to maintain laboratory excellence and regulatory compliance. AAFP-PT provides an easy to maintain program with only three shipments per year, technical support by experienced laboratorians, electronic reporting, PACE continuing education credits, and discounts available to three or more lab locations. AAFP-Proficiency Testing can help assure the accuracy of lab results, a critical component of quality patient care. AAFP

Proficiency testing guideline

Current accreditation requirements include integration of proficiency testing (PT) into the laboratory’s quality improvement program. CLSI guideline QMS24—Using Proficiency Testing and Alternative Assessment to Improve Medical Laboratory Quality, provides suggestions for improvement of the proficiency testing process from a quality management perspective. The guideline includes suggestions for classification of unacceptable PT results and provides guidance for designing a PT process and using PT results to improve the quality of laboratory testing. CLSI

2019 WSLH PT catalog

The 2019 WSLH Proficiency Testing (PT) catalog contains over 150 products to meet your laboratory proficiency testing and quality assurance needs. Subspecialties include: chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, andrology, and microbiology. Additional offerings include evaluation samples, calibration/verification and online training, and competency. CLIA regulated analytes are clearly noted in the catalog. Each subspecialty has a dedicated medical technologist with extensive experience to assist through the proficiency testing process. A detailed shipping schedule is provided for convenience. WSLH

Automated proficiency testing results

With API DataDirect, labs can use their laboratory information system (LIS) or middleware to seamlessly transmit proficiency testing results directly to American Proficiency Institute (API) in much less time and with no errors. There are no new technology systems to purchase, and no interface or extensive IT involvement. Features include: (1) no additional fees; (2) greater accuracy by eliminating risk of costly transcription errors; (3) saves hours spent manually entering and verifying results; (4) easy application; and (5) training and set-up assistance. API DataDirect demonstrations are available. API

NEW PRODUCTS

Caplugs Evergreen InocuLoop

Caplugs Evergreen is a gamma-irradiated and pre-sterilized disposable inoculating loop. Designed with flexible stems for easy streaking, the loop also features patented four-side spreaders ending in an apex. This is ideal for use as a built-in picker to isolate colonies. Compared to metal loops, InocuLoop allows you to cut out the flaming process, save time and increase efficiency on all of your bacterial inoculation and quantitative procedures. The loops are conveniently packaged with a tamper-evident feature to ensure sterility. For the most stringent requirements, InocuLoop is available individually-wrapped. Caplugs Evergreen

EB Pure Agarose Gel Extraction Kit

Empirical Bioscience’s Pure Agarose Gel Extraction Kit is designed to quickly isolate small DNA fragments (70 bp to 20 kb) from agarose gel in just 15 minutes. The system’s high-binding configuration specifically, but reversibly, binds DNA or RNA under optimized conditions allowing proteins and other contaminants to be removed. This helps to guarantee high and consistent recovery rates in excess of 85 percent, while simultaneously removing primer-dimers, primers, nucleotides, proteins, salt, agarose, ethidium bromide, and other impurities. The extracted DNA is suitable for use in most applications including ligations, PCR, sequencing, restriction digestion, or various labeling reactions. Empirical Bioscience

HPLC Column Chiller/Heater

Torrey Pines Co30 Column Chiller Heater 237x300

Torrey Pines Scientific’s EchoTherm HPLC Column Chiller/Heater Model CO30 has a temperature range from 4.0°C to 70.0°C readable and settable to 0.1°C. The PID temperature control software regulates temperatures to ±0.2°C, even at ambient. The chamber is 15.625” tall x 6.385” wide x 5.125” deep, and is capable of holding four 30 cm x 1 inch columns, plus a valve, tubing and fittings. The temperature is kept constant by an internal fan. The door opens down to the front, and columns, valves and fittings are mounted on the inside of the door for unobstructed ease of access. It also features RS232 I/O port for programming, and data collection, timer with user settable Auto-Off, Peltier technology with no CFC’s, separate chamber and valve drains, and twelve month warranty. The unit comes with valve mounting hole, 3-wire AC line cord, fused high and neutral lines, and instruction manual. The Model CO30 is available in models that operate on 100, 115, or 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz. UL, CSA, and CE approvals. Torrey Pines Scientific