3.2.SCORING SYSTEM

During 2011, the Transfusion QAP introduced a performance assessment scheme for the General Compatibility Module, which placed laboratories into 5 operational categories. These categories are:

• Reference 100 – no points lost
• Reference 99 – loss of 20 points, but no critical error made
• Operational – loss of 20 – 49 points but no critical error made
• Review – loss of 50 – 99 points (equivalent to 1 critical error)
• Unsatisfactory – loss of 100 or more points (equivalent to 2 critical errors)

Tests regarded as critical are the ABO blood group, antibody screen and crossmatch reaction.

After each survey has been analysed and discussed by the Transfusion Advisory Committee, each laboratory is placed into a performance level based on the final score attained. This is the survey performance level. From this the cumulative performance level (CPL) is calculated.

The CPL is the performance level calculated from the previous six surveys. Each performance level is given a ranking that is used in the calculation however some exception rules are applied. For example,

• If the performance level for a survey is “Unsatisfactory” then the CPL will default to “Unsatisfactory”.
• A survey performance level of “Review” will default the CPL to “Review”.
• If a participant achieves three consecutive “Reference 100” levels, then the CPL will default to “Reference 100” and CPL calculations will default back to the first “Reference 100”. This exception rule allows highly performing laboratories to regain “Reference 100” status following a loss of points through minor technical reasons or following successful implementation of corrective action.

The CPL therefore, is an ongoing record of performance and this will be recorded on each survey summary report.