Results and Feasibility of an External Quality Assessment Scheme for Self-Monitoring of

of blood glucose (SMBG) is not satisfactory, and the need for standardized control routines for SMBG has been underscored. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) designed for office laboratories could improve the quality of SMBG measurements. Methods: From October 2001 through March 2004, we conducted 6 glucose surveys for diabetes patients and coordinated them with an EQAS for office laboratories. Patients received 2 control samples by post twice a year. They measured each control sample in duplicate in accordance with written instructions, returned the re-sults, and received an assessment of their analytical performance. Participants who got a poor evaluation were followed up by phone and were offered guidance