ACCREDITATION STATUS:

UKAS accredited - Proficiency testing provider No. 7804

This programme is operated by UK NEQAS Leucocyte Immunophenotyping. The centre provides flow cytometry and molecular haematology based programmes. For further information on the operation of the programme or details on current accreditation status please contact UK NEQAS Leucocyte Immunophenotyping directly.

Email: admin@ukneqasli.co.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 114 267 3600

CLINICAL APPLICATION:

Immunophenotyping of leukaemia

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

To assess a laboratory's ability to immunophenotype a leukaemia sample using flow cytometry and/or immunochemistry.

ANALYTES:

Analyte	Default Unit
a range of leukaemia specific cell surface and cytoplasmic antigens	Antigen status in terms of positive/negative and the population size (%) expressing the antigen

PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:

Results are entered online via the UK NEQAS LI website. Trials are live for 3 weeks. Results can be entered at any time during this period. Under exceptional circumstances late results are accepted at our discretion via email/fax.

DATA ANALYSIS:

Semi quantitative analysis. Positive/negative results of the malignant population are scored against the consensus positive/negative results submitted by participants.

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

Participants are scored based on their overall immunophenotype for the core antigens (currently CD2, CD3, CD5, CD13, CD19 and CD20) of the malignant population in terms of the positive/negative expression of these antigens within the malignant population. Each trial is awarded a grade of A to G based on antigens within consensus. Grades A to C are classed as satisfactory and grades D to G are classed as critical.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING:

Participant performance is monitored by means of a rolling n+1 sample window where n equals the number of samples per trial issue.

PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:

Two 'Critical' classifications in a 12 month period are classed as Persistent Unsatisfactory Performance.