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:

Immunophenotyping of leukaemia

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

To assess a laboratory's ability to immunophenotype a leukaemia sample using flow cytometry and/or immunochemistry.

ANALYTES:

Analyte	Default Unit
a range of leukaemia specific cell surface and cytoplasmic antigens	Antigen status in terms of positive/negative and the intensity of reaction

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:

Qualitative analysis. Positive/negative results of the malignant population are scored against the consensus positive/negative results submitted by participants.

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

Participants will receive 2 performance classifications which will be used to derive the Overall Performance Classification used for performance monitoring. The first is the Panel Design Performance Classification which is based on a participant’s panel design and the number of antigens tested by the participant matching the 10 most tested antigens. 50% and above is considered satisfactory. The second is the Antigen Testing Performance Classification which is based on a participant’s panel design and the number of antigens tested that are in/out of consensus with the 10 most commonly tested antigens. Both performance classifications will be used to derive the Overall Performance Classification which will be used for performance monitoring. Where the number of antigens matching the top 10 is <50%, a participant’s Overall Performance Classification will be automatically classed as Critical.

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:

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