NRLs, in collaboration with HFSRB, is in charge of which quality-assessment activity?

NRLs, in collaboration with HFSRB, is in charge of which quality-assessment activity?

• A. Accreditation of facilities
• B. Training of personnel
• C. Administration of NEQAS
• D. Evaluation of IVDMD

Answer: (C)

External quality assurance is about ensuring consistent, reliable lab performance across facilities. National Reference Laboratories, with the Health and Family Welfare Standards Review Board, coordinate and oversee the National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS). NEQAS provides proficiency testing by distributing standardized samples, collecting results from participating labs, and benchmarking performance. This process helps identify gaps, drive corrective actions, and uphold accuracy in diagnostic testing across the network. Accreditation of facilities is a separate recognition of meeting predefined standards; training of personnel focuses on building competencies; evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices concerns assessment of devices themselves rather than running an external quality program. In this regulatory context, administering NEQAS is the quality-assessment activity that fits.

External quality assurance is about ensuring consistent, reliable lab performance across facilities. National Reference Laboratories, with the Health and Family Welfare Standards Review Board, coordinate and oversee the National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS). NEQAS provides proficiency testing by distributing standardized samples, collecting results from participating labs, and benchmarking performance. This process helps identify gaps, drive corrective actions, and uphold accuracy in diagnostic testing across the network.

Accreditation of facilities is a separate recognition of meeting predefined standards; training of personnel focuses on building competencies; evaluation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices concerns assessment of devices themselves rather than running an external quality program. In this regulatory context, administering NEQAS is the quality-assessment activity that fits.