EDUCATIONAL GUIDE The Role of EQA in Quality Control QUALITY CONTROL

The Role of EQA in Quality Control Quality Control (QC) is a vital process for laboratories to monitor the accuracy and precision of patient sample testing. Without QC, laboratory errors could go undetected potentially resulting in misdiagnosis and inappropriate or delayed treatment, all of which could be life threatening for the patient. Taking An Holistic View While Internal Quality Control (IQC) does a vital job it is only part of the overall quality management picture. For example, IQC doesn’t address calibration issues, instrument systematic errors or wide ‘acceptable’ limits. Equally, while...

How Does EQA Work? EQA provides a means of periodically assessing laboratory performance in comparison with other laboratories using the same method and instrument. Unlike IQC, EQA provides an effective method of monitoring a laboratory’s bias or accuracy through the analysis of samples of unknown concentrations otherwise known as ‘blind samples’. It also enables assessment of the complete testing process including pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical phases. After analysis, results are submitted to the scheme organiser for statistical evaluation. Laboratories will subsequently receive...

Benefits Of EQA EQA plays an essential role in assuring laboratory quality by supporting daily IQC. It facilitates interlaboratory performance comparison, bringing greater standardisation in diagnostic testing. EQA has a number of functions: • It compares different analytical methods • Initiates and evaluates corrective actions • Provides an objective view of test system performance that IQC alone cannot provide • It improves interlaboratory agreement and helps raise standards • It maintains and improves the analytical quality of laboratory tests • It helps laboratories detect equipment failures,...

As part of your EQA scheme you will be provided with ‘blind’ samples to be analysed as if they were patient samples. Analytes should be provided in a realistic range of concentrations, allowing assessment of normal and abnormal ranges, both analytical and clinical decision levels should be covered. It’s important that samples should be stable, but free from interfering preservatives or stabilisers, and offer a matrix consistent with a human sample. Labs should be confident that EQA material mirrors that of patient samples. EQA programmes should offer flexibility to customise the programme to...

ACUSERA True third party quality controls As a world leading manufacturer of multi-analyte true third party controls, thousands of laboratories rely on Randox to accurately assess test system performance and ultimately empower them with the confidence required to release patient test results. With more than 390 analytes available, the number of individual controls required to cover your test menu is significantly reduced while simultaneously reducing costs, time and storage space. A choice of formats is available, including liquid or lyophilised, which ensures flexibility and suitability for...

ACUSERA 24•7 Interlaboratory Data Management Designed for use with the Acusera range of third party controls, the Acusera 24•7 software helps laboratories monitor and interpret their QC data. Access to an impressive range of features, including interactive charts, the automatic calculation of Measurement Uncertainty & Sigma Metrics and live peer group data generated from our extensive database of laboratory participants, ensures Acusera 24•7 is the most comprehensive package available. • Advanced statistical analysis with automatic calculation of performance metrics including; Sigma, UM, TE &...

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