Scheme Information Sheets
Birmingham Quality Specimen Exchange Scheme
We already have had our Cholinesterase Specimen Exchange Scheme running for some time, but we are now opening this up for a much wider range of analytes across a range of matrices.
This is a true community collective product. You have to contribute your own Specimens to become part of the service but all the data is presented in our familiar house-style with occasional added commentaries for that extra value added component.
| 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 | The Birmingham Quality Specimen exchange programmes were established for those analytes that do not have a EQA scheme and to help Laboratories who want a more organised approach to their local specimen exchange. To be a participant in the Birmingham Quality specimen exchange programmes you must be willing to regularly contribute clinical material for the scheme in which you wish to join. The current analytes in these programmes include Cholinesterase, Hydrozychloroquine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Promethazine, Diphenhydramine and Cyclizine. Please contact Birmingham Quality if you would like to enquire about any of these analytes or to discuss a new specimen exhange |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 4 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 12 |
| Frequency of distribution | Bimonthly |
| Scoring system | No scoring |
| Material distributed | Donated material for Cholinesterase and Whole Blood Drug, Serum and Urine DRUG pools prepared by Heartlands (Alex Lawson) |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Finlay MacKenzie |
| Criteria for participation | None |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.5mL or 1.5mL for Urine Pools |
| Sample presentation TACs | All analytes of the same material in the same tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Cholinesterase" Activity | ~ | U/L | MLTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| Antihypersensitive screen | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Chlorpheniramine | 0.1 – 0.5 | mg/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Cyclizine | 0.1 – 0.5 | mg/L | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| Diphenhydramine | 0.1 – 0.5 | mg/L | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| Fentanyl | 0.1 – 1.0 | µg/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 0.1 – 1.0 | mg/L | MLTM | ~ | ~ |
| Oxycodone | 0.05 – 0.5 | mg/L | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| Pethidine | 0.1 – 1.0 | mg/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Phenotype | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Promethazine | 0.1 – 0.5 | mg/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Propranolol | 0.1 – 0.5 | µg/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Serum Dexamethasone [Do not use] | 1 – 50 | nmol/L | XALTM | ~ | ~ |
| Serum Prednisolone [Do not use] | 40 – 2480 | nmol/L | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| 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.
