FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The UKNEQAS for Molecular Genetics is predominantly educational. However mechanisms are in place to monitor and act on issues of poor performance.

Public and private labs in the U.K., Ireland and The Netherlands carrying out molecular genetic analysis for human inherited conditions.

Currently under normal circumstances there is one distribution of samples per year for each disease. We offer quality assessment for a range of diseases and sample distribution is staggered. For each disease sufficient samples are distributed to answer three clinical scenarios. When poor performance is identified additional rounds of samples may be distributed as deemed necessary by the Steering Committee.

There is an annual £100 registration fee.

For the 2007 EQA scheme, the cost is £300 sterling per disease.

The scheme aims to not only assess the accuracy of genotyping but in addition the overall quality of the reports issued. Each report is given a numerical score both for the accuracy of the genotyping and the relevance of the interpretation of the results. Errors in clerical accuracy are noted.

All reports are marked by two senior members of the profession with experience of the disease in question.  Marking criteria is set by the Steering Committee for each case. Any discrepancies in marking are resolved by the Steering Committee.

Poor performance criteria is set by the Steering Committee and Scheme Organiser and is approved by NQAAP for Clinical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics. See the Poor Performance Criteria.

Yes. The anonymity of each participating laboratory will be maintained at all times unless deemed a persistent poor performer.  The laboartory identity will only then be disclosed to the appropriate NQAAP panel.

 

 

Last Updated: 19th October 2007 by Sandi Deans

History: 29th January 2007 SD