In the modern medical system, a clinician is largely dependent upon laboratory and other investigations for proper treatment of a patient. It is therefore important to maintain quality in laboratory tests. This involves maintenance of accuracy and precision of test results. Participation of a laboratory in an external quality assurance program (EQAP) is essential in ascertaining the accuracy of tests. Department of Hematology, AIIMS New Delhi was entrusted the responsibility of conducting proficiency testing programme for “Hemogram” by Indian Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (ISHBT2) and therefore started ISHTM-AIIMS- EQAP in the year 2003.This programme evolved over the past years from its nascent status to incorporate parameters like Complete Blood Count (CBC), Red Cells indices, Retic Count and peripheral smear (PS) assessment in its scope. The program is majorly based on WHO international council for standardization in haematology: 2008, ISO/IEC 17043:2010 and ISO/IEC 13528:2015 standard. As Proficiency testing provider (PTP), the goal of the ISHTM-AIIMS- EQAP is to carry out accurate and timely proficiency testing for hemogram for laboratories throughout India. Presently more than 4500 laboratories are registered in the programme with increasing number of applications being received continuously. This programme has recently been accredited as proficiency testing provider (PTP) by NABL (Certificate No. PC- 1002), as per the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard.

Dr. Manoranjan Mahapatra ( Prof. & Head of Department, Hematology)
PT Co-ordinator, ISHTM-AIIMS-EQAP
Department of Hematology
AIIMS, New Delhi
E-mail ID: info@ishtmaiimseqap.com