Participation and performance in INSTAND multi-analyte molecular genetics external quality assessment schemes from 2006 to 2012

BACKGROUND: INSTAND e.V. has provided Molecular Genetics Multi-Analyte EQA schemes since 2006. METHODS: EQA participation and performance were assessed from 2006 - 2012. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2012, the number of analytes in the Multi-Analyte EQA schemes rose from 17 to 53. Total number of results returned rose from 168 in January 2006 to 824 in August 2012. The overall error rate was 1.40 +/- 0.84% (mean +/- SD, N = 24 EQA dates). From 2006 to 2012, no analyte was reported 100% correctly. Individual participant performance was analysed for one common analyte, Lactase (LCT) T-13910C. From 2006 to 2012, 114 laboratories participated in this EQA. Of these, 10 laboratories (8.8%) reported at least one wrong result during the whole observation period. All laboratories reported correct results after their failure incident. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the low overall error rate, EQA will continue to be important for Molecular Genetics.