It is my pleasure to write about PRE-EQC, the complete pre analytical, analytical and post analytical proficiency testing program obtained accreditation as per ISO 17043:2023. The Program is under the accreditation body with ILAC-MRA treaty for Proficiency testing.

The project has certain unique features:

• PRE-EQC obtained permission for keeping pre-& post analytical evaluations under the scope of accreditation.
• The multidonor pooled samples providing perfect commutability.
• Samples are stable for both Cl. Chemistry and Microscopy in Clinical Pathology.
• Evaluation of HbA1c & all hemoglobin variants.
• PRE-EQC established the criteria of Hemolysis, Icterus, Lipemia (HIL) check, accepted by international experts to consider under the scope of accreditation.
• The calculated parameters have also been taken under the scope of evaluation of PRE-EQC.

I find PRE-EQC an economic project to assess harmonization status of the medical laboratory for the journey of quality through continual improvement.

It is a privilege to introduce PRE-EQC, an integrated proficiency testing (PT) system that encompasses the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of the total testing process. The program is accredited in accordance with ISO 17043:2023 and operates under an accreditation body that is a signatory to the ILAC-MRA, ensuring international recognition of its PT competence.

PRE-EQC incorporates several technically significant elements that set it apart from conventional PT programs:

• Accredited evaluation of pre-analytical and post-analytical variables, allowing performance assessment across the full testing continuum rather than limiting evaluation to the analytical phase.
• Use of multidonor pooled specimens designed to closely replicate native clinical matrices, improving commutability and reducing matrix-related bias.
• Provision of stable multidonor materials suitable for both Clinical Chemistry and Microscopy-based Clinical Pathology, enabling more accurate and meaningful interlaboratory comparison.
• Comprehensive assessment of HbA1c and clinically relevant haemoglobin variants using approaches aligned with established international reference systems.
• A structured basal instrument performance check, incorporating scientifically defined acceptance criteria for haemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL indices). These criteria have been technically reviewed and endorsed by international experts for inclusion within the accredited scope.
• Inclusion of calculated analytes within the evaluation pathway, acknowledging their clinical significance and supporting harmonized computational practices.

Through these components, PRE-EQC provides a scientifically rigorous, economically viable, and methodologically harmonized platform that strengthens laboratory quality systems, enhances the comparability of results, and supports continuous improvement across diagnostic laboratories.

The PRE-EQC integrated proficiency testing program, which embodies all three aspects of quality assurance, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical domains, has been extremely beneficial for my laboratory. The program, which is accredited as per ISO 17043: 2023 standards and is operational under an accreditation body that is signatory to the ILAC-MRA, symbolic of international recognition and standardization, has certainly lived up to my expectations from it.

Being a regular user since the last 5 years, over this significant period of time, our laboratory has been able to circumvent a large proportion of matrix-related biases and has also been able to achieve favourable inter-laboratory comparison results. Sample traceability issues have also been tackled with a greater quantum of efficiency.

In all aspects since the program continues to act as a robust guiding beacon for our laboratory processes. As a highly satisfied beneficiary, I highly recommend its usage.