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WSLH Environmental PT Programs are Accepted by:
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
WSLH Proficiency Testing has been a provider of environmental proficiency testing samples since 1986, helping laboratories meet Wisconsin certification and registration requirements. WSLH PT provides certification and quality assurance samples for inorganic chemistry of potable and non-potable water and water microbiology. The chemistry samples will satisfy the proficiency testing requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 149 and the water microbiology samples will satisfy the requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 77. WSLH is Wisconsin's' public health laboratory providing environmental and clinical services to support and protect the environment and health of the citizens of the state. As a department with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it has more than 80 years of environmental testing experience and more than 40 years of experience providing quality proficiency testing services. This wealth of expertise provides superior assistance to help laboratories address regulatory, quality assurance and other technical issues.
Clinical programs are also provided by WSLH PT.
WSLH Environmental PT Policies
Environmental Reference Enrollment Policy
Due to Wisconsin certification requirements, enrollment in the Environmental Reference Samples program (ER and DW) will continue for the number of events it takes for your lab to attain satisfactory performance. If you lab does not pass all analytes in the first event, then in the next event shipment you will automatically receive and be billed for the analytes that still need to be passed unless a written cancellation request is received 30 calendar days prior to the shipment date. If your lab does not pass the second event, this process will be repeated for the third event.
Modifying Your Order
Modifications should be directed to the Environmental PT Coordinator at 800-462-5261 or (608) 265-1100, x107. Changes to your order may be made by telephone, fax or mail. The enrollment confirmation letter can be used for this purpose. The following information must be provided:
- Your WSLH-PT identification number (EN number).
- Laboratory name, address and telephone number.
- Programs added or dropped.
- Identification of authorized person requesting the change.
- Purchase order number or billing information, if possible.
Cancellation
- Full refunds will be made for program cancellations requested up to 30 calendar days before a program's first shipment date.
- Partial refunds will be made for cancellations requested up to 30 calendar days before each of the program's subsequent shipments.
Action to initiate a credit will begin within 30 days of a program cancellation. Any overpayment or credit will remain on your account until a refund is requested. Refund checks will be issued within six to eight weeks.
Payment /Billing
PT is a pre-paid service. Payment can be made by check, credit card or purchase order. If paying by check or credit card, please wait for the invoice to be received. Bills are issued on a monthly basis. PO numbers will be referenced in the "Billing Notes" section of the invoice if that information is provided with the enrollment form.
We do not charge interest; however, if payment is not received within 90 days of the receipt of invoice, your laboratory will be notified that we consider the enrollment incomplete and a hold will be placed on your account. No further shipments or reports will be issued until payment has been received. Since this will put your laboratory in regulatory jeopardy, it is important that payment be prompt.
Billing questions/credit card information should be directed to Fiscal Services, 800-862-1065.
Replacing Samples
Replacement sample requests must be made by the date specified in the instructions. It is your responsibility to examine the shipment as soon as it arrives and report any missing or damaged samples. Replacement requests due to reasons within the participant's control [e.g. lab accident, improper storage] must also be made within the specified time frame. A replacement fee to cover the cost of the additional samples, plus shipping and handling, will be charged for samples that have been mishandled by the participant. Call the Environmental PT Coordinator at 800-462-5261 or 608-265-1100, x 107 for sample replacement. In order for laboratories to meet the replacement request deadline, we encourage sample testing as soon as possible after arrival of the shipment.
Requesting Extensions
In cases of temporary equipment problems or reagent/calibrator back-order, an extension of up to one week from the original due date listed on the result form may be granted. You must contact the Environmental PT coordinator prior to the due date in order for an extension to be granted.
Scoring Overview
Participants are given 28 days in which to perform all analyses and return results to WSLH PT. Scored results, true values and acceptance criteria are released to both the participant and the Wisconsin DNR Laboratory Certification Program no later than 30 days from the due date.
WSLH PT utilizes an Oracle relational database software platform to record and score proficiency testing results and generate reports for laboratories and certifying agencies. Data is entered into the system through sc ann ing or manual entry and stored in a results database. Statistics which include mean, standard deviation (SD) and acceptable range are calculated for each analyte using a quantitative regression scoring scheme.
Quantitative regression scoring:
The lower and upper limits of the acceptable range are calculated using the assigned value and a regression equation. The assigned value is defined as the gravimetric true concentration of an analyte that has been verified by Wisconsin DNR-approved methodologies. Regression equations are found in the USEPA NERL-Ci-0045 "National Standards for Water Proficiency Testing Studies, Criteria Document," December 30, 1998 and the NELAC PT Fields of Testing tables, December 2004. These acceptance criteria were revised, became effective June 1, 2005 and are located on the NELAC website. The mean and standard deviation are calculated using four regression factors (F1, F2, F3, and F4):
Mean = (Assigned value x F1) + F2
SD = (Assigned value x F3) + F4
The acceptable range is calculated using the mean and standard deviation:
Potable water analyte acceptable range = Mean ± 2.0 SD
Non-potable water analyte acceptable range = Mean ± 3.0 SD
Related Links
Organizations
WSLH PT is not responsible for the contents of any web sites linked off our site. These links are provided as a courtesy to the organizations. Their presence on the WSLH PT web site does not constitute or imply any type of endorsement or recommendation by WSLH PT and WSLH PT assumes no responsibility for the use or accuracy of information provided.
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