Dear Gary
The idea of EQA is to mimic a patient sample as much as possible so as
to detect as many errors as possible. Reporting of results below a limit
of quantification (where patient levels would not be reported) surely
suggests these samples are not being treated as patient samples.
If a cut-off is within a clinically relevant range, then perhaps it is
justified to include those results, but only if patient results are also
reported and the laboratory can demonstrate it has validated the assay
for use outside its CE marking limits...
I would have thought it more appropriate for the QA scheme to mark labs
down who send in results in these cases.
Best regards,
Nigel Brown, PhD FIBMS
Principal Biochemist
Phone +44 20 3299 3147
Fax +44 20 3299 3641
IDM Service, Institute of Liver Studies
King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS. UK.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Mascall
Sent: 22 April 2009 19:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Reporting EQA results
Recently we have had a problem with apparent poor EQA performance
because we have sent in results as less than for a particular analyte.
We are using the manufacturer's stated reporting range for the assay, so
treat EQA same as patient samples and following CE regulations.
It appears other labs do send in results, even though they are below the
stated limits. Do these labs also report patient results at this level,
or are they
being selective for the EQA providers.
Should EQA schemes mark you down for complying with the providers stated
assay range? Or, should they ask users to only report within the ranges.
I know this might be a problem when a different platform has a lower cut
off
level, but then surely this is what CE marking of kits etc was all
about.
Gary Mascall
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
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------ACB discussion List Information--------
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Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
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