Scheme Information Sheets
UK NEQAS for Serum Indices (HIL)
| Scheme Particulars | Indicative Details |
|---|---|
| Accreditation body | UKAS |
| ISO/IEC Accreditation status | ISO/IEC 17043:2023 |
| UKAS Accredited Proficiency Testing Provider No | 7860 |
| Objective of Scheme | Provides EQA coverage for serum indices: haemolysis (H), icterus (I) and lipaemia (L), both for quantitive and category data. Analyte X is a unique element of the Scheme that looks at the impact of the HIL in the specimen on a particular analyte. The Scheme also collects and presents data on the current HIL cut-off that is in use by participating laboratories for Analyte X. The aim of this is to build up a library of the current variation in practice and provide laboratories with evidence of what they are doing compared to other users of the same method and other methods. Analyte X will change from distribution to distribution, please report in your usual units. Analyte X may be a Chemistry analyte or an Immunoassay analyte |
| Pre-, Analytical, Post- status | Pre/Analytical |
| Number of distributions per year (nominal) | 11 |
| Specimens per distribution | 3 |
| Number of Specimens per annum | 33 |
| Frequency of distribution | Monthly |
| Scoring system | ABC |
| Material distributed | Pooled, liquid human serum with or without exogenous added analyte |
| Programme Director(s) / Organiser(s) | Rachel Marrington |
| Criteria for participation | All, but overseas by courier |
| Nominal sample volume (mL) | 0.4 |
| Sample presentation TACs | All analytes in the same tube |
| Data in Chemistry on-line Dashboard | Yes |
| Analyte | Approx Range | Default Units | Target Value | B Score Limit (%) | C Score Limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyte 'X' | ~ | units | MLTM | ~ | ~ |
| Analyte 'X' Interpretation | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| H category | Concentration the same as Haemolysis Index | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Haemolysis Index | 0 – 20 | g/L | MLTM | 10.0 | 15.0 |
| I category | Concentration the same as Icterus Index | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Icterus Index | 0 – 1000 | µmol/L | MLTM | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| L category | Concentration the same as Lipaemia Index | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Lipaemia Index | 0 – 20 | mmol/L | MLTM | 20.0 | 25.0 |
| Abbreviation | Expansion |
|---|---|
| ALTM | All Laboratory Trimmed Mean |
| GLTM | Group Laboratory Trimmed Mean – which is the Method Principle Mean |
| MLTM | Method Laboratory Trimmed Mean – usually a manufacturer system / analyser mean |
| XALTM | An external value that may be from a Reference Method System |
| OGLTM | A Method Principle Mean used as the target for all laboratories |
| OMLTM | A specific Method Mean used as a target for all laboratories |
| OMMED | A Method Median used as the target for all laboratories |
| MED | Median |
