The document summarizes a scheme for distributing monthly liquid samples for external quality assessment. It includes mainline chemistry analytes distributed in 3.5ml and 1ml aliquots. The material is human serum manufactured to high specifications and sterilized to maintain integrity and commutability. Reference target values are assigned for key analytes to assess traceability. Performance reports identify components of imprecision and inaccuracy, and provide group reporting in graphical and tabular form to manage performance across sites. The scheme also includes samples for assessing linearity, validating new equipment and methods, and challenging laboratories.

1. Scheme Design
Frequency: 4 liquid samples distributed
monthly
MAINLINE – Includes Serum Indices,
Adjusted Calcium, Iron, TIBC, Transferrin,
Transferrin Saturation, Lipase and
Pancreatic Amylase.
Sample size: Mainline Chemistry can be
provided in 3.5ml and 1ml aliquots.
Please note: Violet = Reference method
accredited to ISO 17025 & 15195
Mainline Chemistry
EQA Scheme
Material
“Off the clot” Human serum manufactured to a
high specification to maintain integrity and commutability of
the base material. Filtered to 0.2µm and gentamicin added
to maintain sterility.
NO PRESERVATIVES ARE ADDED.
ISO 15189 Compliance- WEQAS can help!
Linearity
Linearly related serum samples covering the pathological
range to assess your method linearity.
Metrological Traceability
EQA material with Reference Target values assigned for:
Na, K, Li, Mg, Ca, AST, LDH, GGT, ALT, Creatinine,
Glucose and UA.
Equipment Validation/Method Verification panels
A range of samples with full metrological traceability for
validation of new equipment and methods available.
Performance Management Reports
EQA performance report identifies components of both
imprecision and inaccuracy, with uncertainty of the target
value provided.
Group /
Regional
reporting
Includes per
distribution
and long term
manager’s
summary
reports in
graphical and
tabular form.
Managing Multi-sites/Sections?
Challenging EQA samples distributed to
assess both analytical performance and
current laboratory practice.
Typical Performance Report
Colour coded reports highlight
analytes with performance issues
Analyte
Sodium 105 -160 mmol/L
Potassium 1.8 - 7.5 mmol/L
Chloride 80 -125 mmol/L
Bicarbonate 13 - 30 mmol/L
Urea 2.0 - 25.0 mmol/L
Creatinine 30 - 600 µmol/L
e-GFR <15 to 90 mls/min/1.73
Glucose 2.0 - 25.0 mmol/L
Calcium 1.6 - 4.0 mmol/L
Phosphate 0.4 - 2.0 mmol/L
Total Protein 45 - 80 g/L
Albumin 20 - 50 g/L
Magnesium 0.4 -2.0 mmol/L
Urate 50 - 800 µmol/L
Lithium 0.2 2.0 mmol/L
Lipase 0 - 200 IU/L
Osmolality 200 - 370 mosmol/kg
AST 5 - 600 IU/l IFCC
ALT 5 - 300 IU/l IFCC
ALP 80 - 700 IU/l SCE
CK 80 -800 IU/l SCE
Gamma GT 20 -400 IU/l SCE
Amylase 50 -1000 IU/L
LDH 100 - 500 IU/l SCE
Lipase 0-100 IU/L
Iron 10 - 30 µmol/L
TIBC 11 - 70 µmol/L
Transferrin 1.5 - 3.5 g/L
Transferrin Saturation 20 - 80 %
Gentamicin 4 - 10 µg/mL
Serum Indices
Approx. Range Covered
MAINLINE CHEMISTRY
Available for Hct,Ict & Lip