QASI^® Canada

Quality Assessment and Standardization of Indicators

Operated by: Quality Management Unit of the National Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Located at: JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Winnipeg, Canada

Services: QASI^® registered trademark of the Government of Canada, is an internationally recognized external quality assessment (EQA) program that serves to ensure accurate and reliable diagnostic testing and prognostic monitoring for infectious diseases at both laboratories and point-of-care testing (POCT) sites in Canada and around the world.

In Canada, QASI provides EQA through administration of proficiency testing schemes for POCT technologies, specifically for Cepheid GeneXpert^® and Abbott ID Now™ assays. Comprehensive remedial action is provided to participating sites requiring assistance in maintaining quality testing standards for use of these technologies.

All QASI services are provided free-of-charge, in both English and French.

There are three EQA schemes currently available;

• QASI-COVID19 for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and RSV testing on the Cepheid GeneXpert

• QASI-COVID19-RT for SARS-CoV-2 rapid testing on the Abbott ID Now

• QASI-TB for Tuberculosis testing on the Cepheid GeneXpert

In addition, QASI-HIV and QASI-HCV are under development to support future POCT for these pathogens using the GeneXpert.

For more information on each program please follow the links below.