CMS SOM App. C, Tag D2123

(c) Failure to participate in a testing event is unsatisfactory performance and results

in a score of 0 for the testing event.

Consideration may be given to those laboratories failing to participate in a testing

event only if--

(1) Patient testing was suspended during the time frame allotted for testing and

reporting proficiency testing results;

(2) The laboratory notifies the inspecting agency and the proficiency testing

program within the time frame for submitting proficiency testing results of the

suspension of patient testing and the circumstances associated with failure to

perform tests on proficiency testing samples; and

(3) The laboratory participated in the previous two proficiency testing events.