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:

Lymphocyte subset enumeration

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

To assess a laboratory's ability to calculate the absolute count (cells/µL) and percentage of lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry

ANALYTES:

Analyte	Default Unit
CD16+/CD56+ Lymphocyte	cells/µL (absolute count) and percentages
CD19+ Lymphocyte
CD3+ Lymphocyte
CD3+/CD4+ Lymphocyte
CD3+/CD8+ Lymphocyte

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 scored against the consensus (defined as the robust mean) absolute counts and percentages from results submitted by participants using a single platform approach

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.