Scheme Information Sheets
UK NEQAS for Haematinic Assays
| 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 | Provides EQA coverage by means of predominantly endogenous levels of mainstream haematinic analytes which are required for the formation of blood cells in the process of hematopoiesis. The Scheme does cover the analytical working range, but does focus on the clinically important decision points. This Scheme includes Red Cell Folate. See separate schemes for Active B12/Holotranscobalamin and Erythropoietin |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical/Post |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 11 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 (Separate specimens for B12/Folate, Ferritin and Red Cell Folate) |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 33 |
| Frequency of distribution | Monthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Single/pooled donations of liquid human serum with or without exogenous added analyte for B12, Ferritin and Folate. Human washed cells suspended in human plasma for Red Cell Folate |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Finlay MacKenzie |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.5 - 1 |
| Sample presentation TACs | B12 and Ferritin share a tube Folate is in a single tube Red Cell Folate is a single tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B12 | 150 – 1000 | ng/L [pg/mL] | ALTM | 20.0 | 15.0 |
| Ferritin | 5 – 2000 | µg/L | MLTM | 7.5 | 10.0 |
| Folate | 1.5 – 20 | µg/L | ALTM | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| Red Cell Folate | 100 – 1000 | µg/L | MMED | 15.0 | 20.0 |
| 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 |
