Flow Cytometry Programmes

All of these programmes use stabilised blood products. The samples you will receive are stabilised using a patented procedure and will remain stable up to 1 year at between +2 and +8 degrees C. Please store any samples at this temperature until testing but allow the samples to reach ambient temperature before staining.

Because the material is stabilised some minor adjustments may be required to the Forward Scatter (FSc) and Side Scatter (SSc) Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) voltages. This is normal and does not affect the staining characteristics. Owing to the stabilisation process, the cells are not viable. UK NEQAS LI therefore recommends that viability dyes are either not used or, if used, all cells are included in the viable cells gate. In addition, the stabilisation process allows for haemoglobin to leach out of the red blood cells. As a result of this the samples may have a haemolysed appearance. This is normal and the samples can be tested.

Do not be concerned if the haematology profile on these samples does not give a valid differential. This is due to the stabilisation process. These samples have been developed to give the optimum performance using “flow cytometric” assays and have been used in these EQA programmes for over fifteen years.

****NEW FOR 2025-2026***

As part of the continuous development of our EQA/PT provision we will be introducing several updates to our flow cytometry programmes in 2025-2026.

Pilot CAR-T EQA study for Flow Cytometry

Following a successful initial study in 2024-2025, we hope to run a second pilot round for CAR-T cell detection by Flow Cytometry in 2025-2026. Please contact admin@ukneqasli.co.uk if you are interested in taking part in the study. Please note there will be limited spaces.

Move to WHO5 in Leukaemia Immunophenotyping

UK NEQAS LI will be updating the available diagnoses in the Leukaemia Diagnostic Interpretation Programme, in line with the publication of the 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours: Myeloid and Histiocytic/Dendritic Neoplasm and the International Consensus Classification of Myeloid Neoplasms and Acute Leukemia.

Webinar Plans

We will be hosting more educational webinars this year. Please keep checking our website for further details.

Development of the Immune Monitoring Programme

As part of our commitment to develop the External Quality Assessment (EQA) programmes provided by this centre we are in the process of developing the Immune Monitoring Programme to incorporate a wider selection of tests including primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, ATG therapy monitoring, immune recovery, Rituximab monitoring, as required by participants.

Trial Schedule

Each year we quote on our trial schedule, a minimum and a maximum number of distributions that will be issued, subject to sample availability e.g. 4-6 in the Immune Monitoring Programme. Historically, we have consistently achieved the upper end of this target. In 2025/26, due to a staffing shortage, we are unlikely to hit the maximum number of distributions. As such, we have added to the trial schedule the minimum number of distributions. If staffing shortages are resolved, we will endeavor to achieve the full schedule. This may take the form of electronic rounds. If this is the case, you will be contacted separately. We will return to the full trial distribution schedule in 2026/27. Please accept our apologies for this short-term decrease in our services.

Update to ISO 17043:2023
An update to the ISO 17043 standards, to which EQA/PT providers are accredited, was released in May 2023. There are major new sections on impartiality, risk and information management. EQA/PT providers have a three-year transition window to show compliance to the new standards. UK NEQAS LI are currently performing a gap analysis to identify areas where additional work will be required to demonstrate compliance in 2025/2026. 

Please see programme specific pages on our website for further details.