AFIP is an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory and is running external quality assurance programme with the name of National External Quality Assurance Programme of Pakistan. For NEQAP, AFIP is a proficiency testing provider in the following schemes:
NEQAP performs proficiency testing of above-mentioned schemes on quarterly basis. A cycle is composed of four rounds. Each cycle and round are categorized by a number e.g. “Cycle 1 : Round 2”.
"Confidential Information/data" herein shall mean all technical and financial Information concerning the NEQAP.
Evaluator herein shall mean: Person or entity in charge of the evaluation of a Proficiency testing.
Laboratories/Labs/Participants herein shall mean: Each of the entities participating in a NEQAP.
PT herein shall mean: proficiency testing.
PT Results Report herein shall mean: The final report provided by NEQAP after each round with a summary of the results.
PT items herein shall mean: Items or data sets that are sent to all Laboratories for evaluation.
Services herein shall mean: The proficiency testing services provided by NEQAP.
Test Results herein shall mean: The result of the evaluation of the PT items made by each Laboratory/participants.
Time Schedule herein shall mean: The time schedule for a PT provided by the NEQAP.
In the course of a Proficiency testing NEQAP will provide the following services to the participants:
The identity of the Participant will not be disclosed to any other participant or evaluators of proficiency testing scheme. Alphanumeric code will be assigned to the individual participants to conceal identity of the participants in the course of proficiency testing.
5.1. NEQAP will send PT items to participants for each round through courier. Courier charges will be paid by NEQAP. NEQAP will provide PT items to participants registered in following PT schemes:
5.2. Participants shall use PT items for above mentioned PT schemes, only as a quality control material to participate in PT scheme. Participants shall not send these NEQAP PT items to any other third party.
5.3. In case of receipt of damaged PT items, participating labs shall immediately inform NEQAP on following contact mediums:
Email: support@neqap.org
Telephone: 051-5176419 ext 369
5.4. For histopathology PT scheme, participants will send their own slides to NEQAP for evaluation. Participants will ensure that slides reach NEQAP office intact by enclosing them in protective jackets enclosed in a box. Transportation cost for histopathology slides shall be borne by the participants of Histopathology PT scheme.
5.5. NEQAP will not use participant’s histopathology slides for any other purpose than performance assessment of participants.
6.1. The deadline for submitting results will be communicated to participants by NEQAP through email. After deadline result entry option on NEQAP portal will be disabled.
6.2. No results shall be accepted after deadline of receiving results in any form.
Participating labs are required to treat proficiency test items in the same manner as a routine sample.
PT results report will be disclosed to participants as stipulated by NEQAP before sending the PT items. If there is a delay in disclosure of PT report due to any unforeseen factor then all participants shall be informed accordingly.
Participants can appeal to review the NEQAP PT report within three working days after disclosure of NEQAP PT reports.
All data related to proficiency testing remains sole property of NEQAP. AFIP can use that data for any purpose, while taking all measures to keep the confidentiality of participants.
Participant labs can only use NEQAP logo and NEQAP name on their documents once they achieved the status of “successful completion” for a cycle.
Certificate of successful completion will be awarded to participants having atleast 75% success rate of total rounds of a cycle.
All participants are required to pay registration fee before the start of first round of each cycle.
13.1. Participants are required to pay fee for each scheme for a cycle. NEQAP fees are subject to change without any prior notice. Fee must be submitted in the form of bank draft /pay order or cheque in the name of Commandant AFIP.
13.2. After the closing date no registration will be done.
NEQAP PT reports do not qualify for court of law. Participants of NEQAP cannot use NEQAP PT reports in any court of law or for any legal matter.