ACCREDITATION STATUS:

UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 7795

CLINICAL APPLICATION:

The quantitation of AAT is indicated in the evaluation of chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD), emphysema and in neonatal and adult liver disease where low concentrations may have diagnostic importance. AAT genetic status (PI phenotyping) should be performed in all cases of deficiency when the quantitative assay gives results below the age related median concentration. The PI phenotyping should be determined in all children with liver disease irrespective of AAT concentration

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

Immunochemistry EQA scheme

ANALYTES:

PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:

Data entry is via the web for the submission of results. Data analysis is commenced 21 days after sample dispatch. Late returns are accepted and will contribute to the laboratory's cumulative performance statistics

DATA ANALYSIS:

Qualitative responses are assessed by MI scoring in relation to the designated response

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

MI scoring

PERFORMANCE MONITORING:

Laboratory performance is assessed over a running analytical window of 4 Distributions (12 months)

PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:

Defined as being in the Poor Performance category for two or more successive Distributions