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:

CD34+ stem cell enumeration

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

To assess a laboratory's ability to detect CD34+ stem cells in patients awaiting peripheral blood stem cell harvest

ANALYTES:

Analyte	Default Unit
CD34	cells/µL (absolute count) and percentages

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:

Quantitative analysis. Results are scores against the consensus (defined as the robust mean) absolute counts from results submitted by participants using the single platform ISHAGE gating strategy

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

z scores using robust means and robust SDs with standard limits of +2.5 and +3.5 and -2.5 and -3.5 as per ISO 13528. A result between +2.5 and -2.5 would be classed as satisfactory. A result between >+2.5 and +3.5 or <-2.5 and -3.5 is seen as an 'Action' result, which highlights a potential issue to the laboratory. Two 'Action' results in a period of 3 samples would result in classification as a 'Critical'. A result above +3.5 or below -3.5 is considered to be a 'Critical' result requiring immediate investigation.

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:

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