Overview of External Quality Assessment (EQA)

The term external quality assessment (EQA) is used to describe a method that allows for comparison of a laboratory’s testing to a source outside the laboratory. 

This comparison can be made to the performance of a peer group of laboratories or to the performance of a reference laboratory. 

The term EQA is sometimes used interchangeably with proficiency testing; however, EQA can also be carried out using other processes. 

EQA is here defined as a system for objectively checking the laboratory’s performance using an external agency or facility.