Since 1949, the AAB Proficiency Testing Service has made comprehensive external quality control programs available to every individual and clinical laboratory wishing to participate. Updated continuously since their inception, these programs meet the needs of evolving techniques and concepts in the modern laboratory.

The surveys are approved by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88), Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA), Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and most state agencies to satisfy proficiency testing requirements.

Results of each survey are mailed to the participants within 21 days of the reporting deadline. Cumulative reports demonstrating performance of the past three testing events for HCFA-graded analytes are also included. Results are also sent via e-mail, prior to the mailed copy, for those participants who prefer this option.

Participant statistics for the entire population of subscribers, segregated according to methodology for most constitutents, are available on our WWW site at the time that the results are released. Hard copies are sent under separate cover from the evaluated results.

The programs are designed with the flexibility to satisfy the needs of all laboratories ranging from a one-person specialty laboratory to an automated full service laboratory.

We have structured our 2000 programs to conform to CLIA '88. We are aware of the economic impact of proficiency testing on the laboratory and we have strived to make our programs as economical as possible. In selecting programs one should be aware of federal or state regulatory requirements. Any questions regarding appropriate programs should be addressed to your State Agency or HCFA.

As detailed further in the brochure, we offer two basic types of programs:

1. Five challenges per testing event which are required for all HCFA-graded analytes.
2. One or two challenges per testing event which are not HCFA-graded.

The only programs available are those listed. Special or modified programs cannot be furnished. If you do not perform analysis of a constituent included in our programs, simply do not submit results for that constituent. All specimens with human blood components, except those used in the Hepatitis Markers, HIV Markers & Oral HIV modules, are negative for HIV antibody, HCV antibody and HBsAg at the donor level.