Poor performance and performance surveillance

When the individual analyte SDI is greater than 2 on 3 consecutive occasions, the laboratory will be offered help by the Scheme organiser. Failure to respond to this contact or to improve performance will lead to a further contact by the organiser. Persistent poor performance for that analyte will result in referral to the Advisory Panel.

When the analyte score has not improved after two contacts by the organisers.

When the total laboratory score is greater than 2 on 3 consecutive occasions.

A laboratory not submitting results will be credited with previous SD Index on individual analytes and total laboratory scores.

A laboratory must submit a minimum of 75% of the distributions per annum.

Arrangements for any proposed changes in standards and notification of poor performers to the panel will be agreed with the WEQAS Steering Committee.

It is the responsibility of the participant to notify the scheme organiser as soon as possible that a "blunder", e.g. transcription error, has occurred. Notification must be made within the "late returns" policy window.  Once documented evidence has been received, the correct result will be entered into the database and an amended report viewed or printed via the  website . 

In the event that the notification is received outside the "late return" time window, database modification will not be made.  All non-analytical errors are documented and entered in the laboratory’s file.