MONITORING EQA PERFORMANCE quality control Laboratory: Cycle Number: Analysis Date: Mean for Comparison: Programme: Sample Number: Analyte: Lab Result: SDI: %Dev: 1. Specimen Handling a. Samples received in good condition b. Samples stored/prepared appropriately c. Integrity of the sample is acceptable d. Random IQC variation on sample analysis date e. Error due to imprecision; check IQC in terms of %Deviation compared to deviation observed in EQA f. IQC target correctly assigned 2. Clerical a. Correct result entered b. Correct use of decimal point and units c. Calculations, if any, performed correctly (even if automated) d. Conversion factors applied to results before submission 5. Calibration a. Date of last calibration b. Calibration frequency acceptable c. Last calibration acceptable 3. Registration and Mean for Comparison a. Registered in the correct method/instrument group b. Changed method or instrument without advising RIQAS c. Mean for comparison changed due to the number of participants returning results e.g. from method to instrument d. An obvious bias between method and instrument means (check histogram and stats sections) 6. Instrument a. Daily maintenance performed on date of sample analysis b. Special maintenance performed prior to sample analysis c. Instrument operated correctly d. Operator fully trained 7. Reagents a. Reagents prepared and stored correctly b. Reagents within open vial stability 4. Internal Quality Control a. %Deviation of IQC (at similar conc to that of EQA) on sample analysis date acceptable b. Shift in IQC in the periods just before and after EQA sample analysis c. Trends in IQC in the periods before and after EQA sample analysis 8. EQA sample a. Initial value b. Re-run value C c. I ssue observed in previous EQA samples at a similar concentration (check %Deviation by concentration and Levey Jennings charts) d. All parameters affected (to the same extent) - possible reconstitution error (check %Deviation on summary pages) Remedial Action: RIQAS© Randox Laboratories Ltd, 55 Diamond Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4QY United Kingdom K +44 (0) 28 9442 2413 A +44 (0) 28 9445 2912 I [email protected] tf®riqas.com