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External quality assessment in haematology: an update

Barbara Wild and colleagues from UK NEQAS Haematology examine the responses to a recent abnormal haemoglobin distribution, and also discuss findings from the Liquid Newborn Specimens Scheme.

The external quality assessment (EQA) schemes provided by UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme Haematology are members of the UK National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS), a registered charity offering EQA services across all pathology disciplines. The primary aim of UK NEQAS is to maintain and improve performance of diagnostic testing at a high level of proficiency, wherever testing is performed. Participation in EQA is an established part of Quality Assurance and is actively encouraged by professional bodies. Here, members of UK NEQAS Haematology, Watford, UK, reflect on two elements of the service provided to participants.

Unravelling a mixture of two haemoglobin variants

The UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UK NEQAS) Haematology provides the Abnormal Haemoglobins (AH) scheme in which participants analyse blood specimens from adult persons to determine whether the ‘patient’ is a carrier for a haemoglobin variant, the thalassaemias (eg β-thalassaemia, δ-β-thalassaemia) or hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin. This particular UK NEQAS Haematology scheme is appropriate for participants who undertake antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening within their laboratories.

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Upcoming Events

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Participants’ Meeting: UK NEQAS Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy

Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield
24th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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