Scheme Information Sheets
UK NEQAS for Salivary Steroids Pilot
Birmingham Quality is pleased to announce a pilot scheme for the analysis of Salivary Steroids.
This pilot scheme will be operated in an identical fashion to other schemes from the Birmingham Quality centre.
| Scheme Particulars | Indicative Details |
|---|---|
| Accreditation body | Not yet accredited |
| ISO/IEC Accreditation status | Pilot scheme - not yet accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 |
| UKAS Accredited Proficiency Testing Provider No | Not yet accredited |
| Objective of Scheme | Provides EQA coverage for Saliva Steroid Assays which includes Cortisol, Cortisone, 17-Hydroxy-progesterone and Testosterone. All analytes share the same Specimen, this allows predominantly endogenous material to be able to be used, thus giving you confidence in the performance of your assay. Immunoassays are prone to interference therefore it is important to use minimally manipulated material |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 6 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 18 |
| Frequency of distribution | Bimonthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Pooled, liquid human saliva with or without spiked analytes |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Finlay MacKenzie |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.5 |
| Sample presentation TACs | All analytes in the same tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salivary 17OHP | 100 – 4000 | pmol/L | ALTM | 25.0 | 30.0 |
| Salivary Cortisol | 1 – 100 | nmol/L | XMLTM | 25.0 | 30.0 |
| Salivary Cortisone | 3 – 60 | nmol/L | ALTM | 25.0 | 30.0 |
| Salivary Testosterone | 50 – 2000 | pmol/L | ALTM | 25.0 | 30.0 |
| 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 |
Please use the sign up form to register your interest in this scheme (quoting your UK NEQAS Laboratory ID where available). We would encourage you to provide us with details of which analytes you measure and the analyser and ‘kit’ (reagent and calibrator) you are using. This will help us tailor the scheme to your needs.
