EQA

Medical laboratories compare their performance with their colleagues by carrying out the same test on the same patient material to see if they get the same result. This is the basis of External Quality Assessment (EQA); a powerful quality assurance tool through which laboratories can learn lessons and improve their skills. Eurogentest Activity 1.3 brings together national and European EQA organisations representing the main genetic laboratory disciplines: molecular genetics, cytogenetics and biochemical. It allows us to discuss how EQA can be made available to more European laboratories and how we can provide the most consistent EQAs services; meeting their needs as new technologies and new laboratory services follow genetic research and development.

Objectives

Molecular EQA

• 1. To work towards harmonizing existing EQA schemes for Molecular Genetic (MG) Testing in Europe.
  2. To expand opportunities for molecular genetic testing laboratories in EU25 to participate in EQA.
  3. To meet the developing needs for quality systems for new services and new technologies.
  4. To link Internal Quality Control and EQA through consensus discussions on best practice.
  5. To work towards sustainable structures for MGEQA
  6. To contribute to improved lab performance.

Cytogenetics EQA

• 1. To work towards harmonizing existing EQA schemes for Cytogenetic Testing in Europe.
  2. To expand opportunities for Cytogenetic testing laboratories in EU25 to participate in EQA.
  3. To provide a pan-European EQA for Cytogenetics
  4. To link Internal Quality Control and EQA through consensus discussions on best practice.

Biochemical EQA

• 1. To expand opportunities for Biochemical Genetic testing (BGT) laboratories in EU 25 to participate in EQA.
  2. To link Internal Quality Control and EQA through consensus discussion on the best practice.

Quality Management of EQA Schemes

• Improve the awareness of the importance of organizing EQA scheme related to the international requirements for EQA scheme providers (ISO, ILAC, CPA, IFCC).

Collaborators

Molecular EQA

Rob Elles	WP leader	Manchester, GB
Clemens Müller	WP co-leader	Wuerzburg, DE
Outi Kamarainen	contact person	Manchester, GB

Cytogenetics EQA

Rosalind Hastings	WP leader	Oxford, GB
Bettina Quellhorst-Pawley	contact person	Oxford, GB

Biochemical EQA

Brian Fowler	WP leader	Basel, CH
Katharina Honegger	contact person	, CH

Quality Management of EQA schemes

Brian Fowler	WP leader	Basel, CH
Els Dequeker		Leuven, BE
Rob Elles		Manchester, GB
Rosalind Hastings		Oxford, GB
Outi Kamarainen		Manchester, GB
Clemens Müller		Wuerzburg, DE
Bettina Quellhorst-Pawley		Oxford, GB