Laboratory Testing in Previously Unregulated Laboratories: Washington State’s Experience

Abstract

Having implemented its own set of regulations in October 1990, Washington State has data to assess laboratory testing quality in previously unregulated laboratories and to gauge its program’s impact on laboratory testing. In a two-part study, investigators from the Washington Department of Health’s Office of Laboratory Quality Assurance evaluated initial inspection findings and proficiency testing performance for 194 laboratories not previously regulated; 101 of these laboratories were evaluated after a second inspection. On initial inspection, significant differences among personnel categories in the areas of deficiencies cited, proficiency testing participation, and rates of discontinued testing were found. By the second inspection, testing quality indicators had greatly improved, with no significant differences among categories of testing personnel.