QASI-HCV (Quality Assessment and Standardization of Indicators relevant to Hepatitis C Virus)

QASI-HCV is an external quality assessment (EQA) program that administers proficiency testing and quality oversight specifically for the Cepheid Xpert® HCV VL and Fingerstick assays used on the GeneXpert® system. It serves primarily to support and maintain quality point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for partner sites in Northern, Remote, and Isolated (NRI) communities across Canada.

QASI® EQA programs, managed and operated by the National Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne (STBBI) Laboratories at the JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre in Winnipeg, Canada, have been providing quality assessment services for HIV testing, nationally and internationally, for over 25 years. The QASI-HCV EQA program is based on the same model, and will offer similar services for laboratories and POC sites in Canada that are using the GeneXpert® for molecular-based diagnostics and monitoring of HCV.

QASI-HCV administration provides extensive feedback in the form of assessment reports and direct dialogue to address non-conformances and provide corrective and preventative action recommendations intended to create sustainable quality testing standards for participants. Additional training on best practices is also provided, as well as maintenance services to ensure sustainable testing services and outbreak preparedness in partner sites.

Frequency of distribution:  The QASI-HCV scheme will consist of a 4-specimen proficiency-testing panel administered two times a year.

To ensure and maintain quality diagnostic testing services for both laboratories and POC testing sites in Canada utilizing the Xpert® HCV VL and Fingerstick assays.

There is no fee to enrol or participate in the QASI-HCV program.

Eligible participants are labs and POC sites actively performing diagnostic testing using the Cepheid Xpert® HCV VL and/or Fingerstick assay.

Confidentiality of testing results and performance is maintained using a password protected online database and numerical IDs to distinguish testing sites

Please contact qasi@phac-aspc.gc.ca to apply.