Hepatitis C Serology
ACCREDITATION STATUS:
Within scope of accreditation
CLINICAL APPLICATION:
Presence of antibodies to HCV indicates that the patient has been exposed to HCV. Presence of any related symptoms with a positive HCV antibody test combined with a PCR positive result could indicate treatment. Research into using the HCV core antigen result instead of the PCR is on-going.
PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:
To provide EQA for laboratories determining evidence of exposure to HCV
PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:
Results are entered online via the UK NEQAS secure website. The distribution is open for three weeks. Intended results are usually uploaded the day after closing date. Late results are not accepted after intended results are uploaded.
DATA ANALYSIS:
Qualitative detection, consensus. General descriptive statistics.
PERFORMANCE SCORING:
PERFORMANCE MONITORING:
PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:
See the Annual Directory for UK and Irish participants only
Microbiology
The first distribution of UK NEQAS for Microbiology was sent out by the then Public Health Laboratory Services on the 1st of May 1971 organised by Dr Peter Crone. This distribution consisted of one scheme, three bacteriology specimens, sent to 67 laboratories in the UK. One of our recent distributions consisted of 12 different schemes, comprising 8 bacteriology, 13 serology, 10 molecular and 9 mycology specimens, and sent to 53 countries representing over 1300 laboratories. UK NEQAS for Microbiology, operated by Public Health England, is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 4715.
Contact Details
- UK NEQAS for Microbiology
- Public Health England
- PO Box 63003
- London
- NW9 5HT
Microbiology
- Telephone: +44 (0) 208 905 9890
- Fax: +44 (0) 208 205 1488
- Email: organiser@ukneqasmicro.org.uk
- Web: http://www.ukneqasmicro.org.uk/