Section 510. Requirements for laboratory testing of PT study samples

A. The laboratory shall report the analytical results from its analysis of the PT study to the PT provider on or before the closing date of the study using the reporting format specified by the PT provider.

B. The laboratory's management and all analysts shall ensure that all PT samples are managed, analyzed, and reported in the same manner as real environmental samples utilizing the same staff, methods as used for routine analysis of that analyte, procedures, equipment, and facilities. When analyzing a PT sample, the laboratory shall employ the same calibration, laboratory quality control and acceptance criteria, sequence of analytical steps, number of replicates and other procedures as used when analyzing routine samples.

C. Restrictions on exchanging information. Laboratories shall comply with all of the following restrictions on the transfer of PT samples and communication of PT sample results prior to the time the results of the study are released. Laboratory management or staff shall not:

1. Send any PT sample, or a portion of a PT sample, to another laboratory for any analysis for which it seeks certification or is certified.

2. Knowingly receive any PT sample or portion of a PT sample from another laboratory for any analysis for which the sending laboratory seeks certification or is certified.

3. Communicate with any individual at another laboratory (including intra-company communication) concerning the PT sample.

4. Attempt to obtain the assigned value of any PT sample from their PT provider.

D. Maintenance of records. The laboratory shall maintain copies of all written, printed, and electronic records, including but not limited to bench sheets, instrument strip charts or printouts, data calculations, and data reports, resulting from the analysis of any PT sample for three years or for as long as is required by the applicable regulatory program. These records shall include a copy of the PT study report forms used by the laboratory to record PT results. All of these laboratory records shall be made available to the DCLS assessors during on-site assessments of the laboratory.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 25, Issue 07, eff. January 1, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-1105 of the Code of Virginia.