How frequently should you run EQA?
There is much debate among clinical laboratories when discussing this common question. With some schemes offering testing as little as 2 times per year, it raises the question, is this really enough?
How frequently an EQA scheme is run will often be dependent on several aspects. Factors such as the diagnostic error rate, number of tests undertaken, experience and turnover of technical staff, and the known stability/instability of the analyte in question should be considered and will all contribute to determine the desired frequency of EQA.
Each EQA programme will vary, where one area, for instance Chemistry, may require bi-weekly testing, another, such as Serology, may only need to be tested every 3 months. Although there is variation between schemes, the benefits of testing more frequently unquestionably outweighs the costs of not testing frequently enough.
Issues with infrequent testing?
If your EQA provider offers infrequent testing, there is likely to be a lengthy period of uncertainty where errors could be happening in the laboratory and consequently incorrect results being released. The outcome of this could be damaging to both patients and laboratories, with credibility and trust in results likely to come under scrutiny. For these reasons, having an infrequent EQA scheme could cause harm to your laboratory and reduce confidence in your test results.
Why should you use a frequent EQA scheme?
To ensure the previously mentioned errors do not occur, laboratories should participate in frequent EQA schemes to guarantee that if incorrect test results do arise, then they will be detected and rectified immediately.
As preventative/corrective actions can be taken sooner through frequent EQA schemes, you will have increased confidence in your test systems performance and may reduce the need for expensive retests. Being able to pinpoint when an error occurred will be much simpler if you are only looking back a matter of weeks or a couple months, as opposed to if you are looking back over a longer period such as 4 to 6 months.
The ability to implement corrective actions sooner and with less disruptions to the lab will help lead to both time and cost savings in the future.
What can Randox Quality Control offer?
Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS), offers bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting options* designed to assist with the early identification of laboratory errors. Not only will RIQAS provide you with extra confidence in test system accuracy, but with 32 flexible programmes you could also make significant cost and time savings through consolidation.
With more than 40,000 participants in 124 countries, RIQAS is the largest international EQA scheme on the market and offers laboratories around the world assurances that the results they are releasing are accurate and reliable. Our many features include; the ability to register up to 5 instruments per programme at no extra cost, easy to read reports, internationally accredited programmes and rapid report turnaround. Why don’t you contact us today and find out how we can support you in maintaining quality control in your laboratory?
*Programme Specific
Demand for external support driving growth of EQA
“In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Quality Controls Market” recently published by Markets and Markets has highlighted an overall significant growth within the Quality Control Market. Further growth is anticipated in the coming years with the Markets and Markets report estimating that the IVD QC market will be worth $979 million.
One area that is currently experiencing growth within this sector is the EQA segment, which Markets and Markets estimates to command a 6.6% share of the overall IVD market. The report is crediting growth within this segment to you, the customer, stating “…various end users or customers of IVD quality control products mostly prefer external support to run their quality control activities. For this, market players are largely focusing on providing external quality assurance (EQA) support”. As such companies such as Randox are being approached to provide EQA for a range of small, independent laboratories and large laboratory chains alike.
What other factors have contributed to this growth?
The adoption of ISO15189 and other similar standards is becoming mandatory in many countries, as discussed in a previous blog post. Accreditation highlights the accuracy and reliability of the patient results being released. ISO15189 states that “The laboratory shall participate in interlaboratory comparisons such as those organised by external quality assessment or proficiency testing schemes”. Therefore laboratory managers are employing EQA programmes in their laboratory to meet such requirements. EQA also enables laboratories to meet other accreditation requirements such as peer comparison and clinically relevant testing.
Selecting the right EQA for you
When selecting the right EQA scheme for your laboratory there are a number of considerations to be made; sample frequency, peer group numbers, report format, report turnaround and so on. According to a survey conducted by Randox Quality Control 55% of respondents listed sample frequency as the most important feature to be considered when selecting an EQA scheme. Sample frequency is an ongoing debate regarding EQA. However, schemes with frequent reporting will allow you to easily pinpoint when an error occurred and implement corrective actions with minimal disruption. Also making the top three key factors in this survey were; quality samples and peer group numbers.
What can Randox Quality Control offer?
As the largest international EQA scheme available on the market RIQAS offers laboratories around the world assurance that the results they are releasing are accurate and reliable. With more than 40,000 participant in 124 countries and 32 flexible programmes we are certain that the external support we offer for your quality control activities will provide you with the upmost confidence in your laboratory’s performance. Furthermore with our programmes accepted by national and international accreditation bodies worldwide employing RIQAS can help you gain accredited status providing your end users with peace of mind. With other benefits such as programme consolidation, rapid report turnaround, easy to read at-a-glance reporting and the ability to register up to 5 instruments per programme at no extra cost why don’t you contact us today and find out how we can support your quality control activity?
To request a visit from a QC consultant contact us via acusera@randox.com
One RIQAS Haematology Sample
With over 40,000 laboratory participants in 124 countries, RIQAS is truly the largest international External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme. The large volume of participants is testament to the quality of our material and highlights further the trust and confidence laboratories have in RIQAS to help them accurately report their patient results.
RIQAS is world renowned for delivering flexible EQA solutions to help laboratories reduce the number of programmes required. Our RIQAS portfolio covers most areas of clinical testing including Haematology.
Our RIQAS Haematology programme combines 11 parameters in total and comprises the full blood count into a single sample. Designed with user convenience in mind, samples are supplied in a liquid ready-to-use format in primary tubes. Coupled with user-friendly reports, enabling at-a-glance performance assessment, preparation and evaluation time will be dramatically reduced in even the most demanding of laboratories.
Errors will be identified early thanks to the bi-weekly analysis of the Haematology programme, while reports are ready within a maximum of 72 hours from the date of submission and accreditation to ISO 17043:2010 allows the laboratory to take any necessary corrective actions.
Cat No. Kit Size Frequency Parameters
RQ9118 6 x 2ml Bi-weekly Eleven (11)
Parameters
- Haemoglobin (Hb)
- Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
- Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
- Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
- Mean Platelet Volume
- Plateletcrit
- Haematocrit (HCT)
- Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)
- Platelets (PLT)
- Total White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
- Red Cell Dist. Width
Request your FREE RIQAS consultation
Allow our RIQAS consultants to provide your laboratory with a free consultation to demonstrate how RIQAS can consolidate the number of EQA programmes required to cover your test menu, saving your laboratory precious time and money.
Simply fill out the form below to request a consultation today!
CYFRA 21-1 External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS CYFRA 21-1 EQA programme is designed to cover the analysis of CYFRA 21-1 in clinical laboratories when monitoring the response to treatment of cancers such as non-small cell lung carcinoma, cervical, breast and bladder cancer.
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9175 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 | |
Parameter
- CYFRA 21-1 (Cytokeratin 19)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
Anti-TSH Receptor External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Anti-TSH Receptor EQA programme is designed to cover the analysis of Anti-TSH Receptor in clinical laboratories when thyroid dysfunction is suspected.
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9174 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 | |
Parameter
- Anti-TSH Receptor (TRAb)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
Immunosuppressant External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Immunosuppressant EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Immunosuppressants in clinical laboratories. Immunosuppressants are primarily used after transplant operations to prevent the host body from rejecting donor organs.
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- LC/MS reference values provided enabling participants to compare results to an accurately assigned value
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9159 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 4 | |
Parameters
- Cyclosporin
- Everolimus
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
Sweat Testing External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Sweat Testing EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Sweat Testing in clinical laboratories measuring the concentration of Chloride and Conductivity in sweat, used in the testing of Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
- Liquid ready-to-use samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9173 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly | 2 | |
Parameter
- Chloride
- Conductivity
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
CSF External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Cerebrospinal Fluid EQA programme has been designed to monitor the performance of CSF in clinical laboratories where samples are tested to diagnose a range of medical disorders.
- Liquid ready-to-use samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9168 | 12 x 3ml | Monthly | 7 | |
Parameters
- Albumin (conc)
- Chloride
- Glucose
- IgG
- Lactate
- Total Protein
- Sodium
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
BNP External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS BNP programme is a dedicated programme suitable for monitoring the performance of B-type Natriuretic Peptide. All samples are supplied in a liquid ready-to-use format, therefore reducing the amount of preparation time required and reducing the risk of human error.
- Liquid ready-to-use
- Monthly reporting
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.Net
- Cycle Starts – January 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9165 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 | |
Order with RQ9136/a when BNP and Liquid Cardiac parameters required
Parameters
- BNP
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.