Scheme Information Sheets
UK NEQAS for Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease
The UK NEQAS for Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease Scheme includes CKD, AKI and we are currently piloting KFRE on a quarterly basis (KFRE is not yet accredited to ISO/IEC 17043). You can participate in either, or both, the AKI and CKD elements of the Scheme.
Due to the nature of the AKI element of the Scheme which looks at historical data, there will be, by necessity, restricted time points where you can join. New participants to this Scheme will be able to join:
- Up to 1st August 2024 and will receive specimens from Distribution 212
- Up to 1st Sept 2024 and will receive specimens from Distribution 213
- Up to 1st Jan 2025 and will receive specimens from Distribution 216
- Up to 1st April 2025 and will receive specimens from Distribution 219
- Up to 1st May 2025 and will receive specimens from Distribution 220
If you are interested in participating in KFRE please contact Birmingham Quality.
| Scheme Particulars | Indicative Details |
|---|---|
| Accreditation body | UKAS |
| ISO/IEC Accreditation status | ISO/IEC 17043:2023 |
| UKAS Accredited Proficiency Testing Provider No | 7860 |
| Objective of Scheme | There are a number of elements to this Scheme (1) Creatinine for CKD (eGFR), (2) Creatinine for AKI, (3) Cystatin C and (4) KFRE pilot (KFRE is not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2023). The overall objective of all elements is to provide EQA for monitoring of renal assays and associated pathways. The Scheme provides EQA specimens targeted at specific Creatinine concentrations, with no other manipulation present. This allows wider investigation of Creatinine assays and how creatinine impacts eGFR equations and AKI pathways. This Scheme will test your eGFR equation and AKI algorithm in your LIMS. We would recommend that you have one registration per Creatinine assay as this will allow you to assess how any variation in Creatinine affects eGFR and AKI across your service |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical/Post |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 11 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 (Separate specimens for Creatinine for eGFR, Creatinine for AKI and Cystatin C) |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 33 |
| Frequency of distribution | Monthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Pooled or single donations of liquid human serum with or without exogenous added analyte |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Finlay MacKenzie |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.5 (0.25 mL Cystatin C) |
| Sample presentation TACs | Separate tubes for CKD (eGFR), AKI and Cystatin C |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKI stage | ~ | AKI stage 1,2,3 and all other flags | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Cystatin C | 0 – 6 | mg/L | ALTM | 12.5 | 10.0 |
| eGFR 2009 CKD-EPI SCr | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| eGFR CKD-EPI Cys | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | 12.5 | 15.0 |
| eGFR MDRD | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| expected eGFR 2009 CKD-EPI SCr | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| expected eGFR CKD-EPI Cys | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| expected eGFR MDRD | 10 – >90 | mL/min/1.73m2 | XALTM | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Serum creatinine - AKI | 25 – 500 | µmol/L | OGLTM | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| Serum creatinine - CKD | 25 – 500 | µmol/L | OGLTM | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| Abbreviation | Expansion |
|---|---|
| ALTM | All Laboratory Trimmed Mean |
| GLTM | Group Laboratory Trimmed Mean – which is the Method Principle Mean |
| MLTM | Method Laboratory Trimmed Mean – usually a manufacturer system / analyser mean |
| XALTM | An external value that may be from a Reference Method System |
| OGLTM | A Method Principle Mean used as the target for all laboratories |
| OMLTM | A specific Method Mean used as a target for all laboratories |
| MED | Median |
