The concept of external quality assessment super challenges with special consideration of their importance during pandemics

In this Personal View, we introduce the concept of external quality assessment (EQA) super challenges, in which multiple EQA providers, at approximately the same time and in a coordinated manner, use test samples with identical characteristics in their programmes. The evaluation of test results from the resulting increase in the number of laboratories and test systems used (considering the resulting greater variety of influencing factors that apply to the analysis in the individual laboratories) enables the collection of data that reveals differences, advantages, and disadvantages of individual test systems, in addition to the extent of individual influencing factors. By comparing the analytical performance of test systems and highlighting their limitations, EQA super challenges and the examination results collected by them are valuable contributions for post-market surveillance of diagnostic tests, aid harmonisation in laboratory medicine, and help to identify areas for improvement for manufacturers, policy makers, and regulators. Especially during or in preparation for epidemics or pandemics, EQA super challenges are particularly valuable for public health institutions to quickly gain a clear picture of the testing performance.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Lancet Microbe
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanmic.2025.101292
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.16
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article

The concept of external quality assessment super challenges with special consideration of their importance during pandemics

Stephan W. Aberle, Christoph Buchta, Martin Kammel, Tony Badrick et al.
1 citations
The Lancet Microbe
Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
1.16
article

The concept of external quality assessment super challenges with special consideration of their importance during pandemics

Stephan W. Aberle, Christoph Buchta, Martin Kammel, Tony Badrick, Andreas Bietenbeck, Ingo Schellenberg, Piet Meijer, Xavier Albe, Heinz Zeichhardt, Jim F. Huggett, Vincent Delatour, Gro Gidske, Cas Weykamp, Jaap J. van Hellemond, Stéphanie Albarède, István Juhos, Gitte M. Henriksen, Andrea Griesmacher
article en
1 citations

Abstract

In this Personal View, we introduce the concept of external quality assessment (EQA) super challenges, in which multiple EQA providers, at approximately the same time and in a coordinated manner, use test samples with identical characteristics in their programmes. The evaluation of test results from the resulting increase in the number of laboratories and test systems used (considering the resulting greater variety of influencing factors that apply to the analysis in the individual laboratories) enables the collection of data that reveals differences, advantages, and disadvantages of individual test systems, in addition to the extent of individual influencing factors. By comparing the analytical performance of test systems and highlighting their limitations, EQA super challenges and the examination results collected by them are valuable contributions for post-market surveillance of diagnostic tests, aid harmonisation in laboratory medicine, and help to identify areas for improvement for manufacturers, policy makers, and regulators. Especially during or in preparation for epidemics or pandemics, EQA super challenges are particularly valuable for public health institutions to quickly gain a clear picture of the testing performance.

The Lancet Microbe
University of Szeged (HU), Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (AU), Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (DE), Erasmus MC (NL), Rigshospitalet (DK), University of Surrey (GB), ACT Foundation (US), Gesellschaft für Klinische Forschung (DE), Institute for Research Information and Quality Assurance (DE), Landesarchiv (DE), Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (FR), Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AT), Streekziekenhuis Koningin Beatrix (NL), University Hospital Innsbruck (AT), European Organization for Nuclear Research (CH), Medical University of Vienna (AT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
1.16
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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