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A comparative study of proficiency testing models in immunohaematology has been carried out between the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme and the Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program of the Ontario Medical Association, using material supplied by both programmes to laboratories in the United Kingdom and Ontario. The results suggest that the general standard of performance in immunohaematology practice is similar in the two jurisdictions and that, where clear differences are seen, these reflect differences in technique or in educational emphasis.

An analysis of the results of a compulsory proficiency testing programme in immunohaematology is presented. Error rates have been calculated for the determination of ABO and Rh(D) groups, the direct antiglobulin test and antibody detection according to defined criteria. The introduction of proficiency testing has been associated with alterations in error rates for some determinations. An educational programme introduced for laboratories with poor performance has proved effective in improving their results in the proficiency testing programme.

A proficiency testing program in immunohematology, involving over 240 laboratories, was used to assess the detection of anti-D in six concentrations ranging from 11 to 8,500 ng/mL. Using the indirect antiglobulin test, more than 98% of laboratories reporting detected anti-D at all concentrations. Enzyme and albumin antiglobulin methods as routinely practiced did not clearly increase sensitivity, and the direct agglutination methods used were much less sensitive than indirect antiglobulin methods. If proficiency testing truly reflects performance in practice in Ontario, Canada, the sensitivity of manual indirect antiglobulin methods in routine use for the detection of anti-D appears to meet reasonable expectations of these technics.