Proficiency Tests and Programs

The laboratory Quality Assurance Program is consistent with the high standards of the medical laboratory industry and follows the guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services and College of American Pathologists. Quality assurance begins with the proper procedural documentation of every aspect of the laboratory service performed, which includes specimen collection, accessioning, instrument maintenance, method calibration, data evaluation/review and results reporting.

In addition to the above in-house procedures, Pacific Toxicology participates in external Proficiency Testing Programs. Our performance in these external programs provides the extra dimension of intra- laboratory data comparison and ensures accuracy of results.

Proficiency Programs We Participate In

College of American Pathologists (CAP)

• Blood Lead
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
• Chemistry, Endocrinology, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, ABO Type & Rh
•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 1989.



• Drug Monitoring for Pain Management (DMPM)
•     Frequency: 2 times a year.  Participant since 2012.



• Urine Drug Adulterant/Integrity Testing (DAI)
•     Frequency: 2 times a year.  Participant since 2012.



• Urine Toxicology
•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 2003.



• Urine Drug Confirmation
•     Frequency: 4 times a year.  Participant since 2003.



• Forensic Blood Toxicology
•     Frequency: 2 times a year.  Participant since 2009.



• Whole Blood & Serum Alcohol and Volatiles
•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 2003.



• Trace Metals Urine (TMU)
•     Frequency: 2 times a year.  Participant since 2012.



• Cadmium Exposure
  (CD Blood, CD Urine, Beta 2 Microglobulin, Creatinine Correction)
•     Frequency: 6 times a year.  Participant since 1996.

International Proficiency Programs

Quebec Interlaboratory Comparison Program (PCI)

• Total Arsenic and Speciated Arsenic in urine
• Chromium in urine
• Mercury in urine



•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 1991.

Quebec ICP-MS Program

• In urine: Ag, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, Zn.
• In blood: As, Ag, Cd, Co, Hg, Ni, Tl.
• In serum: Cd, Pb, Ni.



•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 1996.

Germany – German Society for Occupational Medicine and Environmental Medicine

• Chromium Blood
• Hippuric Acid
• Mandelic Acid
• Methylhippuric Acid
• Phenol & O-cresol
• Methylenedianiline (MDA)
• Aromatic solvents in blood – Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Ethylbenzene.
• Chlorinated solvents in blood – Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene.
• Solvent metabolites in urine – Hippuric Acid, Methylhippuric Acid, Mandelic Acid,
  Phenol, O-cresol, Methylenedianiline, t,t-muconic acid
• OPMETS (organic pestidcide metabolites – DMP, DMTP, DMDTP, DEP, DETP, DEDTP.
• Ketones (Methylethylketone) in urine
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons in serum – DDT, DDE, Hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane



•     Frequency: 2 times a year.  Participant since 1995.

State Proficiency Testing Programs

Pennsylvania Department of Health

• Blood Lead
• Zinc Protoporphyrins



•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 1995.

New York State Proficiency

• Blood Lead
• Zinc Protoporphyrins
• Trace Elements (Blood and Urine)
• Therapeutic Substance Monitoring
• Chemistry, Hematology, Tumor Marker, Urinalysis



•     Frequency: 3 times a year.  Participant since 1990.