Enhancing the laboratory quality assurance using the MYKIMIA Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP) food scheme data

Abstract

Accuracy, reliability, defensibility, and timeliness are all aspects of laboratory quality. The outcomes must be error-free in order to produce high accuracy data. Valid methods and calibrated equipment are referred to as reliability. To dispute the laboratory results, all possible errors were identified and the measurement uncertainties were estimated. The certificate of analysis or report must be issued timely. Laboratories in Malaysia was referred to the ISO/IEC 17025 for accreditation purpose. There are three essential elements defined as the backbone of the laboratory quality system. Validate analytical methods, accreditation involving third part auditing and participation in proficiency testing (PT). For this study, PT data is used as a tool to assess laboratory quality management systems' competency. Even if their performance is satisfactory according to the PT provider's evaluation criteria, participants in PT can interpret their results to detect inaccuracies and possibilities for continuous improvement. One of the PT schemes from MyKIMIA Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP) selected for the case study, the overall percentage of satisfactory for the Food Analysis Scheme (FODAS) 1-20 Benzoic acid (BA) and Sorbic acid (SA) in cordial was in the range from 82% to 88%. Statistic performance evaluation was based on a calculation of Z score for Test 1, Test 2 and Test 4. The laboratories shall recalculate the Z score based on the PTP assigned value and fit for purpose standard deviation proficiency assessment (SDPA). Zeta score can be calculated to check the plausibility of the laboratory's measurement uncertainty estimate. The outlier data received that cause the poor performance include human errors, random errors, and systematic errors. Investigation on the errors is consistently based on four main factors: manpower, method, material, and machinery (4M).