Sample Processing
How should I store EQA samples upon arrival?
A: Store all samples at 2–8°C unless otherwise specified. Lyophilised samples should remain in their dry form at this temperature until reconstitution. Do not freeze or store reconstituted samples.
What should I do if a sample appears damaged or does not pass internal quality control (QC)?
A: Contact UK NEQAS LI immediately via repeatsamples@ukneqasli.co.uk or call +44 (0)114 267 3600 to request a repeat sample.
I have misplaced the trial coversheet how do I get a replacement ?
A: Navigate to EQA/PT Programmes tab on the UK NEQAS LI website, select either Flow Cytometry or Molecular Haemato-Oncology Programmes and select the programme name, coversheets are saved at the foot of the page.
Are the samples infectious?
A: Samples are produced from human material either virologically tested or classified as having a low risk of infection and carry minimal infectious risk. However, treat all material as potentially infectious and follow your local COSHH and health & safety procedures.
Can I use my routine protocols to process the EQA samples?
A: Yes. Samples should be processed as per your routine clinical workflows. Some programmes may require minor protocol adjustments (e.g., scatter voltage tuning for stabilised samples or omitting viability dyes).
Should I modify extraction for lyophilised samples?
A: Some minor adjustments, such as skipping red cell lysis and ensuring adequate homogenisation, can improve nucleic acid recovery. Refer to guidance provided with the distribution.
Can I use any methodology or platform?
A: Yes. All suitable validated methods are accepted. UK NEQAS LI does not endorse specific platforms but may comment on any that pose performance risks in trial reports.
Am I able to submit results for additional machines.
A: Yes, however these will need to be registered as secondary registrations contact UK NEQAS LI via admin@ukneqasli.co.uk or call +44 (0)114 267 3600.
Do I need to participate in all rounds?
A: We recommend that the customer participates in all available surveys. Our EQA programmes are carefully designed (with oversight by our Specialist Advisory Group and Steering Committee) to annually incorporate samples that represent a wide range of clinically relevant scenarios. Failure to participate in one or more trials within the registration year, is likely to mean that the full range of samples has not been tested and therefore satisfactory performance cannot be proven. If laboratories choose not to participate in one or more trials, we strongly recommend that an internal risk assessment is performed. It is the participants responsibility to inform us if they do not intend to submit results for a particular round. If no notification is provided to UK NEQAS LI, this will be treated as a non return and performance monitoried as a critical result.
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