On 10 Mar 2004, at 10:48, Frost, Stephen wrote:
> I wondered what your current views are on cholesterol measurement in
> the community and whether this should be supported by the laboratory.
> I have been approached recently by nursing/health visitors in
> neighbouring local PCTs for advice on appropriate equipment and
> whether we feel cholesterol measurement should be included in
> community health screening sessions. I was involved in local community
> QA support about ten years ago but this seemed to fade away. NSFs and
> such like may be raising interest again, together with TV cereal
> adverts. 'Know your number and lower it.'
>
> In particular, can you answer any of the following:
>
> Do you support this type of measurement in principle?
> Is POCT preferable to sending samples to the lab or visa versa?
> Does anyone provide active QA or QC support for POCT cholesterol? If
> so what do you use? What is the current equipment available and what
> is most suitable? Anyone measure other lipids by POCT? Does anyone
> have a direct financial/budgetary involvement in any way? Does anyone
> provide operating guidelines or training, or other specific advice
> e.g. related to sample handling, follow up of abnormals etc.?
I can answer the QA aspect of this - also with apologies for cross
posting
We operate an EQA scheme for POCT sites covering total
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, and have been doing
so for many years. The 2-monthly distributions comprise 3
unmodified liquid human serum specimens, and reports include
individual comments where appropriate (we don't include any
performance scores, as the participants are non-laboratory staff).
The service cost is £75 per year (reduced to £65 where more than
one participation is paid for together, eg where a laboratory is
looking after several community sites)
We would be pleased to send details to any prospective
participants
David
Dr David Bullock
Director, Wolfson EQA Laboratory
P O Box 3909, Birmingham B15 2UE, U K
FAX: 0121 414 1179 [+44 121 414 1179]
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