Even though small and medium-sized pathology labs are essential in the provision of healthcare services, sometimes they struggle with test quality consistency. As per a report by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 60 to 70 percent of medical decisions are reliant on laboratory test results; therefore, one inaccurate test result could significantly harm a patient. External Quality Assurance (EQA) Programs are useful in such scenarios.
This is where an external quality assurance (EQA) program steps in. Through participation in EQA (sometimes referred to as External Quality Assurance Schemes, EQAS, or proficiency testing), smaller laboratories can assess their performance in comparison to their peers and benchmark standards confirming the reliability of their results.
This blog will help you understand – What is EQAS? and we will discuss the fundamentals of EQA/EQAS, their significance for laboratories of varying sizes, and the effortless participation of small and middle-sized laboratories, including the usage of online EQAS tools, to help improve quality, reputation, and compliance.
What is External Quality Assurance Service (EQAS) & why does it really matter?
External Quality Assurance (EQA) refers to the process of evaluating a laboratory’s work through review by an external agency or facility.. Normally, an EQA provider (which could be a reference laboratory or an external program) sends blind test samples to the participating laboratories. The laboratories test the samples as they would for any patient sample, submit their results, and receive feedback. The provider assesses the accuracy of each laboratory based on the results they submitted and gives them feedback, usually concerning their accuracy. This process typically follows a regular cycle (which could either be monthly, quarterly, etc.) as part of an ongoing External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS).
Why EQA Matters for Accreditation and Trust
- Required for accreditations like ISO 15189
- Recognized by regulators as part of quality systems
- Proves consistent accuracy and reliability
- Builds trust with doctors, patients, and authorities
- Strengthens credibility for small and medium labs
Despite its clear advantages, several small labs still tend to shy away from joining EQA programs. For instance, in India, as of 2020, less than 7% of all labs were participating in EQA programs. This figure is remarkably low. There are several reasons that have historically restricted small and medium sized laboratories from adopting EQA.
Benefits of External Quality Assessment for Small and Medium Labs
Participating in an EQAS program offers several benefits that directly address the needs of smaller labs. Here are some of the key benefits of External Quality Assessment and how they impact your laboratory’s quality and operations
Accuracy and Reliability: With EQA, verification is done using known reference values and other laboratories, which objectively confirm the accuracy of your lab. This review confirms compliance and evaluates the efficacy of the quality assurance system. Consistent accuracy improves patient safety and outcomes, as treatments are based on correct diagnoses.
For instance, if your hemoglobin measurements are drifting high or low, you would adjust based on the EQA report. Gradually, this helps tighten your lab’s accuracy to reference standards, which builds confidence. EQA helps in establishing systematic quality assurance for the laboratory and in reducing error.
Continuous Improvement
Taking part in EQA regularly helps your lab improve continuously and grow stronger over time. Each cycle helps labs identify areas needing attention, such as result variability or outliers—offering educational, not punitive, feedback. It highlights training gaps or maintenance needs so issues can be addressed proactively. Over time, labs improve their performance by learning from past cycles.
With Image Computers’ EQAS platform, this process becomes even more effective. Automated reports, trend analysis, and calibration insights make it easier for labs to monitor performance and take timely action—helping even small labs grow in accuracy, consistency, and confidence with every cycle.
Compliance & Accreditation Readiness
If your lab’s aiming for accreditation—think NABL in India or ISO 15189 internationally—EQA isn’t really optional. It’s part of the process. But even if getting accredited isn’t on your immediate agenda, participating in EQA keeps your lab on par with global standards. Honestly, that’s a strong selling point for clients and can help with regulatory boxes you might need to tick.
Plus, if you get into the habit of treating EQA as part of your day-to-day, you’re basically building the documentation and performance history you’ll need if you ever decide to go for accreditation down the line. It’s like being audit-ready by default. You already have the quality system elements inspectors look for, so you’re always a step ahead.
Our EQAS simplifies this process with automated documentation, real-time reporting, and consistent performance tracking—making it easier for labs to stay compliant and accreditation-ready.
Patient Safety and Trust
Ensuring accuracy and reliability in lab results is crucial for both small and large laboratories. EQA (External Quality Assessment) programs enhance this accuracy, and the trust placed in laboratory results. Clinicians appreciate when a laboratory is enrolled in a quality program, as they trust the results. While patients may not be familiar with the term EQA, they appreciate the reduced chances of being misdiagnosed or tested incorrectly. As one WHO resource states, EQA helps provide guarantees to customers (physicians, patients, and health authorities) regarding the reliability of results produced by the lab.
In a competitive healthcare ecosystem, a small lab being known for quality is an invaluable asset. It can lead to increased referrals and enhanced customer loyalty since it’s preferred by doctors who send samples to labs with reliable quality control measures implemented.
Peer Comparison and Learning
EQA allows your lab to benchmark its performance against peers-an especially valuable benefit for standalone labs. You can compare your methods and equipment with industry norms and gain insights into better practices, reagents, or techniques. Some EQA programs even offer shared reports or forums, encouraging collaborative learning.
With Image Computers’ EQAS, peer comparisons are automated and easy to understand. Labs receive detailed reports—including Z-scores, bias analysis, and trend tracking—showing exactly how their results stack up against industry averages. This data-driven feedback helps labs make informed decisions, upgrade testing protocols, and continuously align with evolving quality standards.
Final Thoughts
EQA helps small and medium labs improve test accuracy, meet compliance goals, and build trust with doctors and patients. With Image Computers’ EQAS, labs get easy online result submission, real-time peer comparisons, detailed reports like Z-score and bias analysis, and flexible testing options for different machines. These features make quality improvement simple and ongoing. Whether you’re new to EQA or aiming to optimize your current workflow, EQAS is there to support your lab at every stage. Book a free demo today to see how EQAS can strengthen your lab’s performance and credibility.