UKNEQAS

Scheme

UK NEQAS for Clinical Cytogenetics was established in 1982 by the Association for Clinical Cytogeneticists (ACC) to fulfil the growing need for external quality assessment in clinical cytogenetic laboratories.

In 1983 the Scheme became affiliated to UK NEQAS (UK National External Quality Assessment Schemes and was recognised by the UK NEEQAS Executive as an External Quality Assessment Scheme in Clinical Cytogenetics.

External Quality Assessment (EQA) is primarily an educational tool to help laboratories assess their analytical and interpretative performance and, where applicable, improve their quality management system.

CCNEQAS gives laboratories access to online materials such as images for analysis and case scenarios for reporting, invites them to submit previously reported cases online or sends out wet samples for some EQAs. Laboratories’ submissions are assessed by a panel of expert assessors and the results communicated to the participants via an online Individual Laboratory Report as well as a Summary Report.

Any performance below the required standard (poor) is recorded and confirmed by the Steering Committee. Repeated poor performance in the UK will be referred to NQAAP (National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel) or the Steering Committee respectively.

An appeals process is in place for any laboratories that disagree with the marking of their EQA submission. Appeals are reviewed by the Steering Committee and the Committee will notify the laboratory via the Scheme Organiser with its final decision.

For dates and EQAs offered in the forthcoming EQA round, please see the current EQA timetable. Registered laboratories will be notified by e-mail once a new timetable is available.

The scheme is accredited with CPA (UK) Ltd, reference number 086.

Link to UK NEQAS website

Link to CPA website