en بیوشیمی Biochemistry Research Article Research Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b>Background:</b> Quality control (QC) is a crucial tool in the clinical laboratory for error identification and correction. While the Internal Quality Control (IQC) ensures daily precision and accuracy, the External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) ensures long-term accuracy by providing external verification. The objective of this study was to evaluate our laboratory&rsquo;s performance in the EQAS program services and assess the impact of corrective actions implemented, where necessary, to enhance EQAS performance.<br> <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective observational study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital. The biochemistry department of the laboratory participated in the monthly clinical chemistry EQA program administered by CMC Vellore EQAS. Nineteen parameters were assessed using a structured approach to analyze deviating EQAS results. Monthly performance was analyzed in terms of the Standard Deviation Index (SDI) and variance index score (VIS) from October 2019 to September 2021.<br> <b>Results:</b> Among the nineteen parameters assessed in the EQAS program, most showed &lsquo;excellent&rsquo; performance between October 2019 and September 2021 based on mean SDI. Some improvement was observed in the SDI values between the two cycles after implementing a structured approach to root cause analysis, indicating an enhanced level of performance in the EQAS program. The VIS analysis revealed that 89.47% of parameters in the October 2019 to September 2020 period and 94.73% in the October 2020 to September 2021 period achieved scores classified as &lsquo;very good&rsquo; performance.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: Adopting a structured approach to analyze deviating EQAS results enables the evaluation of laboratory performance and offers opportunities for improvement. Consequently, EQAS plays a significant role as a cornerstone in the accreditation process.</span></span><br> &nbsp;</div> Quality Control, Accreditation, External Quality Assurance Scheme Accuracy, Precision, 1 5 http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1499-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Supriya Gulajkar gulajkarsupriya@yahoo.com 100319475328460029985 0009-0000-2020-7373 No Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune- 411041, Maharashtra, India Rajni Shivkar dr.rajni26@gmail.com 100319475328460029986 0009-0005-4582-7989 No Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune- 411041, Maharashtra, India Sanjyoti Panchbudhe psanjyoti@gmail.com 100319475328460029987 0009-0003-9383-7845 No Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune- 411041, Maharashtra, India Charushila Kadam charushila.yuvraj@gmail.com 100319475328460029988 100319475328460029988 Yes Department of Biochemistry, RKDF Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal- 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India