About QCMD

Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) is a ‘not for profit’ organisation dedicated to advancing the quality of molecular diagnostics through External Quality Assessment (EQA), Proficiency Testing (PT) and other quality initiatives.

History

The European Union supported Quality Control Concerted Action (QCCA) established a series of pilot molecular quality schemes in diagnostic virology & microbiology. The QCCA quality initiatives proved very successful and were supported by the European Society of Clinical Virology (ESCV) and the European Society for Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).

One of the key objectives of the European programme was to establish an organisation that could continue and expand the QCCA initiative. The formation of the QCMD organisation in 2000/2001 achieved this objective and provided the foundations for the expansion of the molecular quality activities on a global scale.

Core Aims

The core aims of the QCMD organisation are:

To provide a professional and dedicated approach to the provision of molecular QA.

To improve the quality of existing and evolving molecular methods through proficiency     testing and standardisation.

To work with National Quality providers and where appropriate support International     approaches to molecular Quality Assessment & Quality Control.

To support International standard initiatives.

To establish best practice guidelines & standards in collaboration with appropriate national     and international organisations.

Quality is important

The QCMD organisation is committed to providing a professional participant focused service. QCMD is ISO9001: 2000 certified and the EQA schemes that QCMD provides are conducted in accordance with a strict Code of Practice and Quality Management System. This ensures that QCMD is compliant with current and developing regulatory requirements.

(ISO guide 43-1, ILAC 13-1, BS EN 14136:2004).