Clinical Biochemistry Quality Assurance Program
(CB-QAP)
Quality control plays a vital role in laboratory practice, ensuring that test results are both accurate and clinically relevant. In today’s era of evidence-based medicine, delivering precise and timely results is essential for effective diagnosis and ongoing patient care. Certain tests, such as tumor marker levels and electrophoresis, can be particularly sensitive to variability depending on the equipment and methodologies used. To address this, the CB-QAP proficiency testing program serves as a valuable initiative that promotes consistency and standardization across laboratories. By analyzing consensus results from multiple centers, CB-QAP enhances accuracy, improves precision, and strengthens the overall reliability of diagnostic outcomes by minimizing inter-laboratory variability.
This program is spearheaded by the Department of Biochemistry at Tata Memorial Hospital and operates under the guidance of the National Cancer Grid (NCG). Established in August 2012, the NCG aims to connect cancer centers across India with the shared goal of implementing uniform standards of care. Supported by the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy, the NCG focuses on promoting evidence-based clinical practices that are practical and scalable across its network, ultimately striving for equity in cancer care nationwide.
Objective
CB-QAP is an IEC-approved initiative designed to promote analytical equivalence across NCG centers and other laboratories throughout India. Recognizing the high variability often observed in tumor markers and serum electrophoresis—primarily due to differences in equipment and methodologies we are set to launch dedicated proficiency testing services in these areas.
All protocols followed under CB-QAP align with internationally recognized CLSI guidelines, ensuring standardization and quality at every step. At Tata Memorial Hospital, our laboratory is uniquely equipped with a range of biochemistry and immunoassay platforms, enabling us to effectively identify and assess variations caused by instrumental biases and interferences. This multi-platform capability not only strengthens the reliability of our internal processes but also enhances the overall value we bring to the broader network of participating laboratories.
Programs Offered
CB-QAP offers proficiency testing (PT) for the following programs in the Tumor Markers and Electrophoresis modules. The program comprises four PT rounds for a cycle of one year:
| Module | Marker/Program |
|---|---|
| Tumor Markers | Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) |
| beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) | |
| Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) | |
| Cancer antigen 15.3 (CA-15.3) | |
| Cancer antigen 19.9 (CA-19.9) | |
| Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) | |
| Electrophoresis | Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) |
| Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE) |
Disclaimer
CB-QAP provides free access to proficiency testing (PT) modules for a duration of one year, starting from the initiation date of the first PT round in a given year. After this period, NCG-registered centers will retain free access, while other users may be charged a nominal fee. Education remains a core component of each run report, supporting our commitment to improved learning and better outcomes.
For further queries, please write to us on ncgcbqap@gmail.com