Objectives

This study will help assess the effectiveness of educational and practical experience policies and procedures dedicated to the laboratory’s efforts in maintaining laboratory scientist skills in the morphological assessment of elements found in urine sediment. Participation in this study will help management assess the technical staff’s ability to evaluate urine samples using photomicrographs. These cases provide a standardized review and evaluation for each laboratory scientist. The study will help management meet applicable CLIA, CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, and The Joint Commission laboratory requirements for morphology consistency of reporting among staff and personnel competency requirements (testing previously analyzed specimens).*

Data Collection

A series of online photomicrographs accessed via e-LAB Solutions Suite will be provided to each participating institution and its participants to assess medical laboratory scientist’s ability to detect and identify various elements found in urine. Each laboratory scientist will receive their own kit and result form. They will provide information about their work experience related to urinalysis review, continuing education, and professional background. Relevant information will be collected from each site about their laboratory as it relates to urinalysis assessment.

Performance Indicators

• Individual medical laboratory scientists’s scores are based on a standardized competency assessment method to determine their ability to identify and estimate various inclusions such as red and white blood cells, casts, crystals, and microorganisms present in normal and abnormal urinalysis cases.
• Overall laboratory scores are based on the performance(s) of a facility’s individual medical laboratory scientist(s).

Your Reports – What to Expect

• A participant summary report will explain the grading criteria for each case and how to read the reports. The report will feature timely author commentary about each case and links to unmarked and annotated photomicrographs.
• An institution report will include your facility’s score summary with comparison to other institutions and a medical laboratory scientist score summary by case for each participant.
• An individual report for each participant will list their responses and score for each case.

Program Information

To meet your staff technical competency assessment requirements:

• Result forms for up to 10 medical laboratory scientists (QPUA10)

• Result forms for up to 25 medical laboratory scientists (QPUA25)

• Multiple orders may be purchased to accommodate the quantity of result forms needed.

Participant summaries are provided with institution and individual results for each case.

Participation in this study helps laboratories meet applicable requirements:

• CLIA personnel requirements (Subpart M, 42 CFR§493.1)
• CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Urinalysis Checklist statements: URN.30800, consistency of morphologic observation among personnel performing urine sediment microscopy at least annually; GEN.55500, Competency Assessment of Testing Personnel (element 5); GEN.55525, Performance Assessment of Supervisors/Consultants; DRA.11425, functions or responsibilities are properly performed by a qualified individual.
• The Joint Commission Standards HR.01.05.03, 01.06.01 (EPs 3, 18, 19), HR.01.07.01, PI.03.01.01(EPs 3-5), and LD.04.05.01, 04.05.03 (EPs 1-6) regarding in-service training, continuing education, competency, and evaluation of staff members
• Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document GP16 (Urinalysis).

Shipping Schedule

A Mailing: January 5, 2027