Proficiency Testing (PT), also known as External Quality Assurance (EQA), is an essential component of laboratory quality management and is directly associated with the analytical quality of staining results. ISO 15189 places particular emphasis on participation in Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) programmes as part of continuous quality improvement.
Recognising the absence of an organised national ILC programme in Malaysia, the International Academy of Pathology, Malaysian Division (IAPMD) established the Technical Module (TM) Quality Assurance Programme.
The programme aims to:
Provide external proficiency testing for Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining and Histochemistry staining methods.
Facilitate inter-laboratory comparison among Histopathology laboratories at a national level.
Promote continuous quality improvement through objective assessment by experienced consultant pathologists and medical laboratory technologists.
The programme evaluates staining quality by circulating serial paraffin tissue sections prepared from standardised processed tissues. Participating laboratories stain these sections using their routine protocols before submission for independent assessment by a panel of experts.
Technique In Histopathology – The Q Initiative
What Makes the Technical Module Unique?
Unlike many international External Quality Assessment schemes, participants perform staining using their routine laboratory practice. Consequently, the programme reflects the actual quality of each laboratory, including tissue preservation, reagent quality, equipment performance, staining procedures and slide preparation.
This provides a genuine assessment of the diagnostic slides routinely produced for pathologists.
Survey Structure
Each survey consists of two exercises:
Exercise 1: Hematoxylin & Eosin stained slide using a standardised tissue specimen.
Exercise 2: Histochemistry Special Stain using designated tissue suitable for the requested stain.
Participants are required to follow the standardised tissue measurements provided in the clinical notes and complete the accompanying laboratory methodology questionnaire through Google Forms.
Programme Development
Initially, one survey is conducted annually.
The inaugural survey was offered free of charge to encourage nationwide participation.
Since its launch on 3 February 2022, the programme has enrolled 37 laboratories, including:
2 laboratories from Indonesia
8 private Histopathology laboratories
Ministry of Health hospitals
Teaching hospitals of Malaysian public universities
Future Vision
The Technical Module IAPMD QAP aims to become Malaysia's recognised national External Quality Assessment programme, providing a standard comparable with internationally respected programmes such as the RCPA Quality Assurance Program.
Through collaboration and continuous participation, the programme seeks to improve the quality, consistency and reliability of Histopathology laboratory services throughout Malaysia.
Prepared by
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifah Emilia Tuan Sharif
Technical Module IAPMD QAP Coordinator
IAPMD TECHNICAL MODULE REPORTS
Generic reports from the IAPMD Technical Module Quality Assurance Programme
Our QA program provides a structured framework for achieving
and maintaining high operational standards, moving your
lab from self-assessment to a system of
externally verified and continuously improved quality.
