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- Accuracy-Based Programs Committee
Charge
To improve patient care by
- Promoting standardization and harmonization of clinical laboratory results
- Promoting the quality of commercially available and laboratory-developed measurement procedures
- Monitoring new reference systems for clinical laboratory tests
- Developing and monitoring CAP Accuracy Based Surveys
- Providing expertise and education to CAP, its members, in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers, and regulatory agencies
- Maintaining liaisons with other relevant organizations
This committee reports to the Council on Scientific Affairs. View a list of the Current Committee Members.
Commitment
| Time Commitment Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Number of face-to-face meetings | 2 |
| Length of meetings | 2 days |
| Typical meeting days | Saturday, Sunday |
| Hours/year of committee work required outside of meetings | Members 30+, Vice Chair 45+, Chair 75+ |
| Additional travel or time commitments |
|
Activities of Committee
- Monitor new and emerging issues/practices/technologies in clinical chemistry that may affect patient safety.
- Provide expertise for potential proficiency testing products. Actively encourage CAP to develop new products to meet needs of field.
- Contribute to the advancement of clinical chemistry by continually providing information for publication in CAP TODAY, specifically the Q&A section
- Professional and statistical oversight of the Accuracy Based Surveys Program.
- Contribute to the continuing education of members through Survey discussions, educational activities, papers, and other various publications.
- Provide support to the CAP and other CAP committees and programs.
Expertise or Experience
- A broad knowledge of clinical chemistry including specific knowledge on development of commutable material and analyte stability
- The chair should have a broad understanding of clinical pathology and the functioning of the College
Benefits of Committee Membership
- Opportunity to play a significant role in the shaping the practice of clinical chemistry nationally and contributing to patient care
- The opportunity to meet and work with recognized experts in the field
Representation on Committee Beyond the CAP
- None
Participant Summary Reports and Discussions
The discussions in the Participant Summary Reports provide reviews of participant results from the accuracy-based surveys and educate participants on advancements in the field.
CAP TODAY Q&A Section Responses
The Accuracy-Based Programs Committee members provide responses to the questions featured in the CAP Today Q&As.
- November 2024: Our laboratory was cited for a deficiency because the manufacturer and methodology of our tumor marker assay was not available to clinicians. What is the reasoning behind this requirement?
- July 2024: Insulin assays traditionally have been used to work up hypoglycemia, but we are noticing more and more requests for insulin and C-peptide testing. Is there a reason for this shift?
- February 2024: A nephrology patient who has been treated with vitamin D2 for several years contacted our laboratory to find out why their 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 60 ng/mL is now considered elevated when before it was within the normal range. How can we explain this?
- September 2023: One of our providers noticed that two laboratories—one in New York and one in Florida—reported very different thyroid-stimulating hormone values for a patient and called our laboratory to determine which was correct. How should we handle such situations?
- July 2023: Is it important to fast before a lipid panel?
- February 2023: Our new endocrine clinic is monitoring estradiol levels in transgender male patients (female to male) and asked if our standard estradiol immunoassay is appropriate to use in this setting. What do you recommend?