Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory
Quality Assurance
David B. Groman
Aquatic Diagnostic Services
Atlantic Veterinary College
Univerity of Prince Edward Island
Canada
Are Quality Programs
Necessary ?
Between 2010 and 2012, Oceana took
1,215 seafood samples from 674 retail
outlets in 21 states. When they tested
the DNA, they found that 33 percent were
mislabeled.
Newfoundland and Labrador's largest health
authority has apologized after nine breast
cancer patients were given the wrong results
and credits its new quality assurance
program for quickly detecting the mistakes.
Why do Diagnostic Labs Need
Q A Programs
A laboratory QA program has one
objective:
To provide confidence to clients in the
validity of the labs Test results and
services offered
A laboratory QA program has one
objective:
To provide confidence to clients in the
validity of the labs Test results and
services offered
The specific components of a quality
program or system will vary between
laboratories , depending upon the
complexity and extents of the testing
that is conducted
What is a Quality Program
Provides consistent monitoring and
evaluation of the performance in the
laboratory
Allows for the implementation and
follow-up or corrective actions for
non-conformance to proceedures
A Quality System
Examples of Aquatic QA Disasters
1970’s Gyrodacylus salaris in Norway
1970’s Cataracts in Salmon due to Low Zn
1980’s Furuculosis Outbreak in Norway
1990’s ISA Outbreak in NB Canada
2007 ISA Outbreak in Chile
QA Programs
College of American Pathologist
American Ass. of VeterianryDiagnostic Laboratories
Intenational OrganizationFor Standarization
Mexico Currently has at least 12 CAP
certified labs: ( for example )
Diagen SC Diagen
Laboratory Mexico DF
Grupo Diagnostico Medico PROA SA de CV
Carpermor West Laboratory, Guadalajara JA
Carpermor Laboratory, Mexico DF
Laboratorio Medico Polanco
Mexico DF
The Diagnostic Dilemma ?
Lab-A
BA 22C
Bio-Chem
Lab-B
TSA 22C
Lab C
BA 22+15C
Mass-Spec
Myocarditis
Nocardia sp.
No growth
Mycobacteria chelonae
Proficiency Testing for
Aquatic Veterinary
Diagnostic Laboratories
USDA – National Vet Service
Laboratory
EURL – Fish Diseases
UK Animal & Plant Health
Agency (APHA)
NACA – Proficiency TestingProgram
2001 Diagnostic labs needed some QA
2007 ISA Outbreak increase in QA for
Aquatic Diagnostic Labs
2010 Regulations were enforced with
proficiency testing and ISO-17025
protocols for all labs
Ring Tests: ISAV, SAV, IPNV and PCR
CHILE
Veterinary Laboratory Association
Quality Assurance Program®
V. L. A.
Quality Assurance Program
( VLA-QAP )
Veterinary Laboratory Assocociation ( VLA )
BioMedicaDiagnostics Inc.
Atlantic VeterinaryCollege ( AVC)
Veterinary Laboratory Association
International veterinary organization for diagnostic
laboratories
Formed in 1989 by 5 people
Organizational Goal – To provide consistency
throughout veterinary diagnostic laboratories
Established Proficiency Program
More info: www.vetlabassoc.com
VLA Proficiency Program
1989 Program administered by VLA
membership with 23 labs in Chemistry
& Hematology
1990 Endocrinology and Serology
1991 Bacteriology
1992 Parasitology
1997 Program administered by VLA & AVC
VLA Quality Assurance Program®
1997 Histopathology and Therapeutic Drug
Monitoring
2003 Urinalysis
2012 Aquatic & Terrestrial Virtual Microscopy
2016 Aquatic Bacteriology ( NEW )
Today - Over 300 participants world-wide and
growing
Primary Purpose of VLA Quality
Assurance Program®
Provide a confidential tool which
enables laboratory personnel to
compare their test results to those
obtained in other laboratories testing
the same materials.
External quality control program
Specific for veterinary laboratories
Including multiple species
International Client Base
WORLD-WIDE DISTRIBUTION
Canada 11%
USA 76%
New Zealand 2%Germany 1%
Other 1%South Africa 1%United Kingdom
1%
West Indies 1%Austria 1%
Australia 5%
Currently 310 labs worldwide
205 USA, 30 Canada, 75 International
No clients in Mexico
Clients in Barbados, Trinidad -Tobago,
and Saint Kitts - Nevis.
Types of Laboratories (%)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
LAB TYPES
Commercial
University
Government
Private
Vet clinic
Research facility
Human hospital
Module Participation (%)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
MODULE
BACT
CHEM-1
CHEM-2
ENDO
HEM-1
HEM-2
HISTO
PARAS
SERO
TDM
URINE
How the Program Works:
Samples sent either 2 or 4 times / yr
Samples run in the labs;
Results or run within 10 days and now reported via website entry
Data entered at Program Centre
Reports of results generated then returned to Participants via Website
Benefits of Participating in the
VLA Quality Assurance Program®
I. Reinforce the internal confidence in your lab,
your results, and your service to clients
Monitor quality of its testing procedures
II. Identify and correct problems
Ensure results are not only precise, but
accurate
III. Continuing education tool
IV. Technical / Professional support
I. VLA-QAP List Server
II. Call AVC Tech Support :
III. 1-800-325-2436
V. Marketing tool for clients
2016 – VLA-QAP Deliverables
Technology Innovation
New Aquatic Bacteriology Module
Accreditation ( ISO 17043 )
Certified as a Proficiency Test Provider
What is virtual microscopy?
What is virtual microscopy ?
Questions ?
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Quality assurance caught errors quickly,
Eastern Health says