Liquid Controls vs Lyophilised Controls
Results of our Liquid vs Lyophilised Poll
Having conducted a recent poll on our Social Media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter) asking our customers what format they preferred their quality control material in – liquid or lyophilised – we saw a large preference for liquid controls.
What does this poll result really tell us?
That most people prefer Liquid controls? Yes.
Lyophilised controls are not as popular amongst our social following? Yes.
However, it also tells us that even though most people chose a liquid format there was still almost a quarter of people who prefer to use lyophilised controls. Liquid and lyophilised controls both have their advantages and disadvantages, this blog is designed to help you decide which is the best fit for your lab.
Liquid Controls
Firstly, it is important to note that there are two distinct types of liquid control available on the market;Liquid ready-to-use and Liquid for ease-of-use, better known as Liquid Frozen. Both types of liquid controls reduce the potential for reconstitution errors and prevent contamination from poor quality water.
Liquid frozen controls must be thawed in a refrigerator before use, making them a little less convenient than the liquid ready-to-use alternative. They require no reconstitution so associated errors are removed. Due to the frozen nature of these controls, they are often shipped on dry ice to prevent thawing in transit, as such transportation costs can be significant.
Liquid ready-to-use controls are arguably the most favoured of the three formats and it is easy to understand why. The controls are simple to use, they require no preparation and there is no need to thaw before use.– With zero preparation required, these controls can be removed from the packaging and used right away! What’s more, they can be conveniently stored at 2-8oC minimising expensive shipping costs.
Another major benefit of using a liquid ready-to-use control is the fact that they are ideal for POCT (Point of Care Testing). The ability to use these controls on the spot is extremely beneficial to POC providers.
Lyophilised Controls
Lastly, the choice of 22% of respondents – lyophilised. This is freeze dried material which requires the laboratory professional to reconstitute the sample using sterilised water and mixing before use. Although this format is not as easy to use as either liquid control it does come with benefits. The enhanced stability of this control sees a shelf life of almost double the two years that is normal with a liquid control, however, the potential for reconstitution errors and the fact it is not as simple to use lead to the majority of people opting for a more convenient liquid control.
Randox Quality Control Range
With Randox QC there are a vast array of controls available in liquid ready-to-use and liquid frozen formats. Areas we have liquid frozen formats available in, include; Clinical Chemistry and Immunoassay.
Liquid ready-to-use controls can be found in the following; Liquid Cardiac, Blood Gas, Liquid Urine, Urinalysis, Specific Protein, Ammonia Ethanol, Haematology, Liquid HbA1c and Liquid Tumour Markers.
Lyophilised controls available with Randox QC can be found within; Chemistry, Immunoassay, Cardiac, Coagulation, HbA1c, Lipids and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.
To register an interest in any of our controls simply contact us at acusera@Randox.com and let us know how we can help and support you or alternatively click here – where you will be redirected to our contact page.
ISO 22870:2006 in the Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Market
Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
The Point-of-Care testing market, better known as POCT, is growing rapidly as the demand for faster patient testing increases. This point is fully backed up through the results of the recent BIVDA (British IN-Vitro Diagnostics Association) survey of 2016. This survey focuses primarily on Point-of-Care Testing and there were a few questions asked that sparked an interest amongst us. The questions can be seen below;
“What are the challenges you face regarding POCT?”
“What do you see in the future for POCT?” (BIVDA, 2016)
Although many answers were put forward there was one (answer) that appeared for both questions. Accreditation. We found this intriguing yet far from surprising. POCT and accreditation go hand-in-hand, with laboratories striving to achieve ISO accreditation with the ultimate aim of allowing patients to have peace of mind that they are being tested properly and effectively.
ISO 22870:2006
The ISO standard that relates to POCT is ISO 22870:2006 Point of Care Testing- Requirements for quality and competence. This standard gives specific requirements applicable to POCT testing and apply when POCT is carried out in a hospital, clinic or a healthcare organisation providing ambulatory care. However, it is important to note and remember that ISO 22870 is not to be seen as a separate, standalone document, in fact, it is to be used in conjunction with ISO 15189:2012 (medical laboratories – particular requirements for quality & competence).
With accreditation in POCT becoming a major factor to laboratories, it is no surprise to see accreditation as one of the top answers to the two questions asked in the survey.
For laboratories looking to participate in point-of-care testing there are other factors of ISO 22870 that they must be aware of, one of the major factors is as follows;
“ISO 22870:2006 advises that where available, Internal Quality Control and participation in an External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme is required in the point-of-care setting.”
How can Randox help?
Fortunately for laboratories, Randox are able to help out here. With a vast range of true third party controls and 32 comprehensive RIQAS (EQA) programmes, Randox can aid laboratories as they aim for ISO accreditation.
We have multiple products particularly suited to the POCT market including, Liquid Cardiac, Blood Gas and Urinalysis. These products are available both as internal quality controls and as EQA programmes.
Our Acusera range of true third party controls are conveniently supplied liquid ready-to-use, therefore requiring no preparation. This is a particular advantage in the POC environment were test results are required quickly and also were testing is not always performed by laboratory personnel. Supplied with assayed target values and manufactured from 100% human material, ensuring they act in the same manner as a patient sample, our Acusera controls are ideal for use at the point of care and will therefore aid a laboratory in gaining ISO accreditation.
Similarly, participation in our RIQAS EQA programme will also assist laboratories to meet regulatory requirements and achieve ISO accreditation. With over 40,000 laboratory participants in 123 countries, RIQAS is the largest international EQA scheme worldwide! Our Liquid Cardiac, Blood Gas and Urinalysis programmes are all supplied liquid ready-to-use, complementing their Acusera counterparts perfectly!
By using our Acusera controls and RIQAS EQA programmes side by side, a laboratory can confidently aim for ISO accreditation in the knowledge that they are meeting criteria.
Serving Up Accurate Test Results
Today, June 27th, sees the beginning of one of the four tennis majors – Wimbledon. Basking in the summer sun while lying on ‘Henman Hill’, this yearly tournament attracts spectators from all over the globe who want to watch the world’s best tennis players ply their skills on the revered centre court over the course of a two week period. But what exactly is the most important skill a tennis player can utilise? Well, many players have different strengths but the one skill that all of them must possess is the ability to serve – and accurately.
The ability to serve is vitally important as it allows the point to begin, serving accurately however allows the player to set the pace and ensure they are on the front foot. By making sure they serve more accurately, the player can be confident in their ability to win the point and the match.
Just like tennis, laboratories will aim to be accurate when ‘serving’ up their test results. Achieving accurate test results is what every lab strives for. With patient results on the line it is important for labs to use QC material that will assist them in obtaining the correct results, therefore keeping them clear of causing a ‘racquet’.
Randox Acusera is world renowned for delivering unbiased performance assessment. Our range of true third party controls are manufactured to the highest standard ensuring commutable samples that react to the test system in the same manner as a patient sample, ultimately allowing labs to be confident in the results they produce. Much like the serve in tennis that needs to fall within a target area, QC results should be as close as possible to the target and ideally should fall within +/- 2 SD from the mean. By falling within these limits a lab can be sure of accurate results and an acceptable performance.
Employ Acusera quality controls in your laboratory today and experience unrivaled confidence in your test results.
Get your slice of our control range here by contacting us at acusera@randox.com. We guarantee you will love us!
Liquid CSF Quality Control
Providing a true third party solution for the measurement of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), the Acusera Liquid CSF Control is designed to deliver an unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance for 14 analytes, helping to ensure the results clinical laboratories release are accurate and reliable.
With an extended open vial stability of 30 days at 2oC – 8oC, the Acusera Liquid CSF Control will reduce waste, while remaining easy and convenient to use.
Features & Benefits
- Liquid ready-to-use samples requiring no preparation
- Human based material
- True third party control providing unbiased performance assessment
- Assayed target values available
- Shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture
- Open vial stability of 30 days for all analytes when stored at 2oC to 8oC
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid CSF Control Level 1 | 10 x 3ml | 14 | CF10138 | |
| Liquid CSF Control Level 2 | 10 x 3ml | 14 | CF10139 | |
Analytes
- Albumin
- Albumin (electrophoresis)*
- Alpha – 1- globulin (electrophoresis)*
- Alpha – 2- globulin (electrophoresis)*
- Beta- globulin (electrophoresis)*
- Chloride
- Gamma – globulin (electrophoresis)*
- Glucose
- hsIgA*
- hsIgG
- hsIgM*
- Lactate
- Protein (Total)
- Sodium
*No claims are made regarding values and stability.
PTH Quality Control
Providing a true third party solution for the measurement of Intact PTH, the new Acusera PTH Control will deliver an unbiased,
independent assessment of analytical performance with any instrument or method.
This notoriously unstable marker, present in a number of immunoassay controls, is now available in a liquid frozen format with an impressive 30 day open vial stability, reducing waste while remaining easy-to-use.
Features & Benefits
- Liquid Frozen
- 100% human serum
- Assayed target values available for many immunoassay platforms
- Stable to expiry date at -20°C to 70°C
- Open vial stability of 30 days at 2°C to 8°C
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTH Control Level 1 | 3 x 3 ml | 1 | PTH10110 | |
| PTH Control Level 2 | 3 x 3 ml | 1 | PTH10111 | |
| PTH Control Level 3 | 3 x 3 ml | 1 | PTH10112 | |
Analytes
- Intact PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)
Related Products
Evidence Immunoassay Control
Multi-analyte immunoassay control designed for use in the routine monitoring of the Randox Fertility, Thyroid and Tumour Marker Arrays.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- Assayed values available for Randox Biochip systems
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
- Reconstituted stability of 7 days at 2oC – 8oC or 4 weeks at -20oC
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Immunoassay Control | 4 x 3 x 5ml | 14 | EV3570 | |
Analytes
- CEA
- Estradiol
- FSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Leutinising Hormone
- Prolactin
- Progesterone
- PSA (Total)
- PSA (Free)
- Testosterone
- Total T4
- Total T3
- TSH
Cardiac Array Quality Control
Multi-analyte cardiac control designed for use in the routine monitoring of accuracy and precision on clinical chemistry and immunoassay systems. This is the only control of its type to include the novel marker heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FAP). Three levels of control are supplied spanning the complete clinical range.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- Assayed values available for Randox Biochip systems
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry at 2oC – 8oC
- Reconstituted stability of 16 hours at 2oC – 8oC or 7 weeks at -80oC
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac Array Control | 3 x 3 x 1ml | 4 | EV3691 | |
Analytes
- Heart-type acid binding protein (H-FABP)
- Myoglobin (MYO)
- Troponin I (cTnI)
- Creatine-Kinase Muscle Brain (CK-MB)
Not for sale in the USA
Canine CRP Quality Control
A dedicated control designed for the use in the quality control of the Randox Canine CRP assay.
Features & Benefits
- Liquid ready-to-use
- Human CRP in a stabilised protein matrix
- Stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
- Once open stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canine CRP Control Level 2 | 3 x 1ml | 1 | CP2803 | |
| Canine CRP Control Level 3 | 3 x 1ml | 1 | CP2804 | |
Analytes
- Canine CRP
Microalbumin Calibrator
Dedicated Microalbumin calibrator designed for use with Microalbumin assays on a wide range of clinical analysers. 6 levels are provided in a liquid ready-to-use format making it both easy and convenient to use.
Features & Benefits
- Liquid ready-to-use
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
- Once opened stable to expiry date at 2oC – 8oC
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microalbumin Calibrator Series | 6 x 2ml | 1 | MA1567 | |
Analytes
- Microalbumin
Lipid Control Calibrators
Apolipoprotein Calibrator
Multi-analyte, apolipoprotein calibrator with values provided for Apolipoprotein A-1 and Apolipoprotein B.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of up to 7 days at 2°C – 8°C
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apolipoprotein Calibrator | 3 x 1ml | 2 | LP3023 | |
Analytes
- Apo A-1
- Apo B
Apolipoprotein Calibrator 2
Multi-analyte calibrator covering four specialised apolipoprotein assays. A reconstituted stability of up to 28 days helps to keep waste and costs to a minimum.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of up to 8 hours at 2°C – 8°C and one month at -20°C when frozen once
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apolipoprotein Calibrator 2 | 3 x 1ml | 4 | LP5047 | |
Analytes
- Apolipoprotein A-II
- Apolipoprotein C-III
- Apolipoprotein C-II
- Apolipoprotein E
Lipoprotein (a) Calibrator
Dedicated Lipoprotein (a) calibrator specifically designed for use with the Randox Lipoprotein (a) assay.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of up to 14 days at 2°C – 8°C
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipoprotein (a) Calibrator | 5 x 1ml | 1 | LP3404 | |
Analytes
- Lipoprotein (a)
Direct HDL/LDL Cholesterol Calibrator
Dedicated HDL and LDL cholesterol calibrator specifically designed for use with direct methods of measurement.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of up to 5 days at 2°C – 8°C and 1 month at -20°C
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDL/LDL Cholesterol Calibrator | 3 x 1ml | 2 | CH2673 | |
Analytes
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
sdLDL Cholesterol Calibrator
Dedicated sdLDL Cholesterol calibrator designed for use with the Randox sdLDL Cholesterol assay.
Features & Benefits
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Reconstituted stability of up to 5 days at 2°C – 8°C
| Description | Size | Analytes | Cat No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sdLDL Cholesterol Calibrator | 3 x 1ml | 1 | CH5050 | |
Analytes
- sdLDL Cholesterol
