Hepatitis C RNA detection
ACCREDITATION STATUS:
UKAS Accreditation in accordance with ISO 17043: 2023
CLINICAL APPLICATION:
To assess treatment outcomes for patients infected with Hepatitis C virus
PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:
To provide EQA for laboratories determining levels of HCV RNA and genotype of HCV
PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:
Results are entered online via the UK NEQAS secure website. The distribution is open for three weeks. Intended results uploaded within three days after closing date. Late results are not accepted after intended results are uploaded.
DATA ANALYSIS:
The report displays results of qualitative detection and genotype in addition to absolute quantitation data (log) for each specimen reported by method; quantitative data includes the number of users, range, median concentration and values at 5%, 95% percentiles. For quantitation results the uncertainty of the median difference of the participants’ results is calculated to confirm the appropriateness of applying the assessment criterion. ISO 13528 states the uncertainty should be less than/equal to 0.3 of the SD for PT (when the participant SD is used as the assigned value).This scheme uses a fixed value based on the technical limitations of testing. The uncertainty of the median difference is checked to confirm it is less than 0.09 (0.3 x the fixed value). General descriptive statistics.
PERFORMANCE SCORING:
Consensus for the three attributes examined, qualitative and genotype detection and quantification. For quantitative results participants are assessed on their ability to report to within a fixed value of the average of assay medians log difference in results reported between the two specimens (assessment criterion). For HCV from April 2011 this fixed value is 0.3 log. Also see scoring policy
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 UK Health Security Agency, is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 4715. For the most up-to-date scheme information (including any pilot schemes) please contact the centre directly.
Contact Details
- UK NEQAS for Microbiology
- UK Health Security Agency
- 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/