ACCREDITATION STATUS:

Accredited UKAS 7872.

CLINICAL APPLICATION:

CLL and Lymphoma testing.

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

 To establish the cytogenetic analytical and interpretative capabilities of the participating laboratory in mature B&T cell neoplasms (excluding Myeloma).

ANALYTES:

PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:

G-banded images and other tests (e.g. FISH) are presented for analysis together with a referral card and additional clinical information to mimic a routine diagnostic case.  Instructions and a user guide are available on the website.  The participant analyses the images, interprets the results and reports via the CEQAS website. The EQA is open for 5 weeks. Results can be entered at any time during this period. Any non-submitting labs will be contacted and given 24 hours to submit a late result. Please note that this EQA does not include Myeloma.

DATA ANALYSIS:

All EQA cases are validated prior to release.  Results are assessed by a panel of experts against set marking criteria based upon professional guidelines. There are three marking categories, Analytical, Interpretation and Clerical Accuracy. Each category carries two points. Deductions are made in accordance with the severity of the omission.  A “critical error” is an error made in either the analytical or interpretive category that could lead to serious clinical consequences or imply a significant lack of diagnostic skill or scientific knowledge on the part of the participating laboratory. All critical errors are given a zero score and are designated as poor performance.  A critical error in one category may result in the remaining categories being left unmarked. Any poor performance is ratified by the Haematology Specialist Advisory Group.

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

Satisfactory/Poor. A non-submission is also given a poor performance.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING:

Yes.

PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:

This is defined as: a) Two poor performances in any haematology cytogenetic EQA in which the laboratory participates, over three or more distributions of material, within a 36 month rolling period; b) A poor performance within one year following a previous persistent poor performance designation.