Establishing an External Quality Assessment (EQA) Program for Urinalysis in Medical Laboratories of Thailand
20
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09701915
eISSN
09740422
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85142856952
Journal Title
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry (2022)
Suggested Citation
Bordeerat N.K., Fongsupa S., Dansethakul P., Rungpanitch U., Pidetcha P. Establishing an External Quality Assessment (EQA) Program for Urinalysis in Medical Laboratories of Thailand. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry (2022). doi:10.1007/s12291-022-01102-3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/83874
Title
Establishing an External Quality Assessment (EQA) Program for Urinalysis in Medical Laboratories of Thailand
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Thailand Association of Clinical Biochemists (TACB) introduced External Quality Assurance schemes (EQAs) for urinalysis (UA) using urine strips in medical laboratories of Thailand. The few available External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs on urinary microalbumin rarely include an evaluation of clinical cases. The aim of the present study was to assess a descriptive analysis of biochemical urinalysis including urine microalbumin in the Thailand laboratory practice. From January 2021 to December 2021, four surveys were organized. EQA urine samples were distributed to the participants by mail. The participants measured the UA of 2 samples quarterly and returned the results together with the information about their instruments and suggestion for the performance of the laboratory report quarterly. Moreover, summary of the situation of each laboratory performance was feedbacked by online system. Fifty-eight laboratories participated in the survey. The EQA panels included positive and negative samples. The analytical results for passed parameters of urine chemical test range from 79.3–100%. All special tests; microalbumin, creatinine, and beta-HCG showed correct result from 85.1–96.1%. The overall accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity were 92.6, 85.7, and 75,4%, respectively. The major issues were observed: the low sensitivity for the detection of low-concentration samples and the incapacity of several methods to detect the positive sample. The assessment is needed to continuously evaluate the improvement proficiency of laboratories in Thailand.