Scheme Information Sheets
UK NEQAS for Antibiotic 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 and analytical assessment of a number of routine antibiotics. Separate specimens are provided for each antibiotic, except Gentamicin and Vancomycin which share a tube |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Analytical |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 11 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 (Separate specimens for each analyte, except Gentamicin and Vancomycin) |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 33 |
| Frequency of distribution | Monthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Pooled, liquid human serum with or without exogenous added analyte |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Rachel Marrington |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 1 |
| Sample presentation TACs | The antibiotic assays analytes are in separate tubes, except Gentamicin and Vancomycin which share a tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amikacin | 0 – 50 | mg/L | ALTM | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Gentamicin | 0 – 12 | mg/L | MLTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| Teicoplanin | 0 – 100 | mg/L | ALTM | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Tobramycin | 0 – 10 | mg/L | ALTM | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Vancomycin | 0 – 50 | mg/L | MLTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| 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 |
