Why should I consider the PT Check Up Program?
While your staff may generally take measures to perform patient testing correctly, surveys conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and funded by the CDC indicate that high personnel turnover rates, lack of understanding about Good Laboratory Practices, and inadequate training may raise quality concerns about practices in performing waived testing that could lead to errors in patient testing and poor patient outcomes.
The Good Laboratory Practices for Waived Testing Sites, Survey Findings from Testing Sites Holding a Certificate of Waiver Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and Recommendations for Promoting Quality Testing includes information based on a survey of a representative sample of certificate of waiver (CW) laboratories by CMS during 1999–2001 in 10 states to assess the quality of these testing sites. These pilot surveys identified quality issues that could result in medical errors. Contributing factors included inadequate training in good laboratory practices and high turnover rates of testing personnel.
Due to the outcome of this study, during 2002-2004 CMS conducted nationwide, on-site surveys of CW facilities to collect additional data that would provide an assessment of testing, promote good laboratory practices, and encourage improvement through educational outreach. Data collected from these surveys support the initial CMS findings of gaps in good laboratory practices in these CW sites.
In addition, a 2001 report issued by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) indicated that half of the respondents reported problems related to quality issues in their states (for example, failure to follow manufacturers’ instructions or failure to identify incorrect results and performing unauthorized testing).
What will the PT Check Up Program do for me?
The PT Check Up Program is a very simple, easy-to-use program that will help you ensure your patient test results are correct. You will receive a carefully designed kit with easy to follow instructions, unknown test samples, answer sheet and answers, educational information, and access to invaluable information at ptcheckup.cap.org. You will be able to use this program and information to help train your staff, evaluate how your test methods or instruments are performing, troubleshoot your testing process, and evaluate the competency of your staff.
In addition, using this program and following good laboratory practice will help improve your performance in the event your laboratory testing is inspected by CMS.
What will I receive with the PT Check Up Program?
You will receive one test kit each year that contains:
The PT Check Up Program will provide you with easy to use unknown test specimens to:
What patient tests will be included in PT Check Up?
Program analytes are listed on the product information page. You can suggest additional anaytes for 2008 via e-mail to contactcenter@cap.org or online.
How will the PT Check Up Program help me?
You may use the materials provided to train new staff on tests performed in your office. Ask your staff to follow the easy to use instructions and perform the testing and simply check to make sure they obtain the correct answer.
Periodically, or if you suspect a problem, you may choose to verify that your instrument or method is providing you with the correct results. By analyzing the unknown test specimens, you can easily determine how your method is performing.
In addition, you can periodically assess that your current staff is using good laboratory practices and following manufacturers instructions.
Lastly, the program Web site will provide invaluable information that you can refer to on a daily basis for the components necessary to provide patient testing in your office laboratory.
What is the cost of PT Check Up?
Each program test module costs $55. For example, if you subscribe for three tests such as drugs of abuse, glycohemoglobin, and urinalysis dipstick, your program cost would be $165.
What is the PT Check Up Advisory Group, and how can I participate?
The PT Check Up Advisory Group will include six to eight participants who are interested in providing the highest quality care and the most accurate patient test results. Participants will be integral to evaluating program performance and suggesting changes that may enhance the impact of the program in the future. Council members may help identify areas in which more information or education is needed or additional program components that could be provided. This is truly an opportunity to raise your voice as a customer.
Where can I get more information about PT Check Up?
Learn more about PT Check Up with our FREE information kit. Call 800-323-4040 option 1 # or request a free PT Check Up information kit.
It is easy to enroll in PT Check Up. Call 800-323-4040 option 1 # today to order the products you need, or download an order form. Learn more
When will I receive my PT Check Up kit?Kits will ship on July 30, 2007, and arrive in your laboratory within a few days after shipping.
What should I do when my PT Check Up kit arrives?
Open the kit immediately and review the storage information and any important testing information provided. Then simply store the kit until your staff is ready to test.
When ready to perform the testing, carefully read the easy to follow instructions and you are on your way. Answers are included for your convenience so you can evaluate your staff and your method or instrument performance immediately.
Contact the CAP at 800-323-4040 option 1 #, by fax at 1-847-832-8168, or via e-mail to contactcenter@cap.org. We want to be your primary resource not only for all of the information you need to help you with this program but for all of the laboratory information you need.
Where can I find out more about the College of American Pathologists (CAP)?
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a not-for-profit membership organization. Since its inception in 1946, the CAP has been setting standards and monitoring adherence to ensure the highest quality of laboratory testing, not only in the United States but worldwide.
Programs were developed to inspect and accredit laboratories and to monitor laboratory performance through regular interlaboratory comparison Surveys. The CAP introduced laboratory quality improvement programs in 1949 with the initiation of the first national interlaboratory comparison program. The program was started as a voluntary program among laboratories to develop and maintain the highest possible technical standards in the field. Since 1949, CAP laboratory improvement programs have continued to grow and improve the level of laboratory performance and patient care. The CAP is recognized as the industry leader in laboratory medicine.
On This Page 
Why should I consider the PT Check Up Program?
What will the PT Check Up Program do for me?
What will I receive with the PT Check Up Program?
What patient tests will be included in PT Check Up?
How will the PT Check Up Program help me?
What is the cost of PT Check Up?
What is the PT Check Up Advisory Group, and how can I participate?
Where can I get more information about PT Check Up?
How can I order PT Check Up?
When will I receive my PT Check Up kit?
What should I do when my PT Check Up kit arrives?
Where can I get help?
Where can I find out more about the College of American Pathologists (CAP)?
