European QAu Database Released

We are pleased to announce the release of version 1.0 of the Quality Assurance (QAu) database, a common aim of EuroGentest and Orphanet.

53% of the surveyed laboratories replied to their QAu data and are present in this initial release. Others are underway (requests from the lab are being checked and corrected if possible) or did not respond yet. We are confident that the desire to participate, and consequently the database, will grow in the year after release.

Search engine

There are three levels to the search engine, giving different possibilities:

- Basic Search (not logged in to the website): http://www.eurogentest.org/web/qa/basic.xhtml

- Basic Search for registered users of the web site (same link as above, after logging in)

- Advanced Search (registered users):

You can switch between the Basic Search and Advanced Search link at the top right of the search engine. A guide to using the search engine is available on the web site

(http://www.eurogentest.org/web/info/public/unit1/qa/search_engine.xhtml).

Database development and validation process

Information about the development of the QAu database and the evaluation/validation of the QAu data for 2004/2005 can be found on the web site

(http://www.eurogentest.org/web/info/public/unit1/qa/development.xhtml#developed).

Why the QAu database is important and useful

Until now, there has been no simple or reliable way to identify, for a particular diagnostic test, a laboratory with a quality system, nor conversely to determine for a given laboratory what is included in its QAu system. To respond to this need, EuroGentest has developed the European QAu database in close collaboration with Orphanet . We believe this QAu database will become an essential resource for geneticists and other health-care professionals worldwide, as well as for patients and families.

We are aiming to create a resource that is useful to everybody involved in genetics diagnosis; consequently, we would be very pleased to receive your comments for improvements in future versions of the database.

The QAu data will be updated annually, in collaboration with Orphanet.

Thank you again for your collaboration.

Kindest Regards,

The EUGT QAu database team and Orphanet collaborators

Last changed: 2008-10-06