United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service
"helping to ensure clinical laboratory test results are accurate, reliable and comparable wherever they are produced"
The UK NEQAS For Molecular Genetics
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The UK NEQAS For Molecular Genetics

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the aim of the scheme?

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

To whom is it aimed?

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

How many samples are distributed?

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.

How much does it cost?

There is an annual £100 registration fee.
For the 2007 EQA scheme, the cost is £300 sterling per disease.

What do you assess?

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.

Who will assess the reports?

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.

How do you define poor performance?

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.

Is my confidentiality guaranteed?

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