AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs Update
PAT Programs Participation Agreement due by February 1, 2012
The AIHA PAT Programs has released an updated Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Programs Participation Agreement. This Agreement lays out the PAT Programs terms for participation which participant laboratories need to understand and agree to. Submitting the Participation Agreement does not affect your laboratory’s annual PAT Programs invoice and does not change your current enrollment status. Terms included in the agreement cover areas such as confidentiality, integrity and general program participation. All AIHA PAT Programs participants shall return a signed PAT Programs Participation Agreement by February 1, 2012. Only one signed Agreement is expected from each participant laboratory. Participating laboratories should not complete an Enrollment form, as mentioned on the PAT Agreement form. Results reports may be held for those participants that do not return the Agreement by the above deadline. The PAT Programs Agreement is available as a stand-alone form and is also page four (4) in the 2012 PAT Programs Fee Schedule located in the Documents, Policies and Fees section http://www.aihapat.org/documents-policies-fees/Pages/default.aspx on our website. The completed form shall be submitted to info.PATLLC@aiha.org. For additional information regarding the AIHA PAT Programs or the PAT Programs Participation Agreement form, please contact Natasha Mugambwa at nmugambwa@aiha.org or Anthony Hodge at ahodge@aiha.org.
Beryllium Proficiency Analytical Testing Program Update
Thank you to all the BePAT participants who participated in the BeO pilot studies conducted by the AIHA PAT Programs during Round 24 and 25. Review of the resulting data by the PAT Board led to the conclusion that the program participants are capable of analyzing BeO samples in a safe manner while utilizing appropriate digestion and analysis methods. The BEPAT Program will officially offer BeO in 2012. The program samples offered will contain a combination of oxide and/or soluble beryllium. Program participants will not be able to distinguish between the two types of samples by visual inspection of the packaged samples. For additional information regarding the BePAT Program, please contact Natasha Mugambwa at nmugambwa@aiha.org.
AIHA PAT Programs Policies
The AIHA PAT Programs under the leadership of the PAT Board will be finalizing preliminary AIHA PAT Programs Policies with the goal of having them available online by February 15, 2012. These policies will provide clear guidance to participating and prospective laboratories regarding the mechanisms of the AIHA PAT Programs. General responsibilities of the AIHA PAT Programs and the participating laboratories will be defined. The new policies will help us in our effort to ensure that the PAT Programs on the whole are conducted according to formally established PAT Programs Policies. For additional information regarding the AIHA PAT Board or the AIHA PAT Programs Policies, please contact Natasha Mugambwa at nmugambwa@aiha.org.
Reference to Proficiency Testing in Advertising
The proficiency testing provided by the AIHA PAT Programs is aimed at assisting participating laboratories in improving analytical performance. In an effort to market their business and services, laboratories that participate in our proficiency testing programs should rightfully advertise their participation in the AIHA PAT programs. A laboratory may use its Laboratory ID Number to indicate participation in one or more AIHA PAT programs, as long as accreditation or certification is not implied. The following wording provides a good example of what is acceptable: "_____ Laboratory participates in the AIHA _____ Proficiency Analytical Testing Program, Laboratory ID Number _____". (Blanks are to be filled with the applicable terms). For additional information regarding the AIHA PAT Programs advertising policy, please contact Natasha Mugambwa at nmugambwa@aiha.org.
2012 PAT Program Schedule
The 2012 PAT Programs Schedule will be available by January 20, 2012. The important dates below have been provided for your laboratory to assist you as you plan your year’s activities. For additional information regarding the 2012 PAT Programs Schedule, please contact Natasha Mugambwa at nmugambwa@aiha.org.
Important 2012 Dates
Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing
- January 1, 2012 – Round 188 opens
- February 1, 2012 – Round 188 results due
Environmental Lead (AIR) Proficiency Analytical Testing
- January 1, 2012 – Round 78 opens
- February 1, 2012 – Round 78 results due
Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing
- February 1, 2012 – Round 78 opens
- March 1, 2012 – Round 78 results due
Bulk Asbestos Proficiency Analytical Testing Program
- February 15, 2012 – Round 90 opens
- March 15, 2012 – Round 90 results due
Beryllium Proficiency Analytical Testing Program
- March 1, 2012 – Round 28 opens
- April 2, 2012 – Round 28 results due
Environmental Microbiology (Culture) Proficiency Analytical Testing
- February 6, 2012 – Round 47 opens
- March 6, 2012 – Round 47 results due
Environmental Microbiology (Direct Exam) Proficiency Analytical Testing
- January 9, 2012 – Round 29 opens
- January 15, 2012 – Round 29 closes
Updated: 01/23/12