UK NEQAS (FMH) Participants’ Manual manual version 5.pdf · UK NQAS (MH) Participants’ Manual Page 3 of 27 MH Particpants’ Manual CD F30 V5 December 2013 (EQA) in the UK. Membership

Participants’ Manual

UK NEQAS for Feto-Maternal Haemorrhage

Version 5 December 2013

Contents FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1

ORGANISATION OF THE SCHEME 2

Location 2

Key Scheme Personnel 2

Oversight of EQA 2-3

Confidentiality 3

Accreditation 3

Data Security 3

Helpline 4

Complaints and appeals 4

AIMS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME 4

SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF TESTS OFFERED 5

COST OF PARTICIPATION 5

SURVEY FORMAT 5

PARTICIPANT REFERENCE NUMBER (PRN) 6

COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORM 6

SOURCE AND MANIPLUATION OF SURVEY MATERIALS 7

DESPATCH OF SURVEY MATERIALS 7

UNDERTAKING THE SURVEY 8

QUESTIONNAIRES 8

LATE RESULTS 9

ASSIGNED VALUES 9

PENALTY SCORING SYSTEM 9-10

PERFORMANCE MONITORING 10-11

REPORTS 11

RELATED SCHEMES 12-13

APPENDIX 1 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEB RETURN OF RESULTS 14-18

APPENDIX 2 - EXAMPLE OF RESULT SHEET (Acid Elution Quantification) 19

APPENDIX 3 - EXAMPLE OF RESULT SHEET (Flow Cytometry Quantification) 20

APPENDIX 4 - EXAMPLE OF RESULT SHEET (Acid Elution Screen only) 21

APPENDIX 5 - EXAMPLES OF REPORT (Acid Elution Quantification) 22-23

APPENDIX 6 - EXAMPLES OF REPORT (Flow Cytometry Quantification) 24-25

APPENDIX 5 - EXAMPLES OF REPORT (Acid Elution Screen only) 26-27

UK NEQAS (FMH) Participants’ Manual

Page 1 of 27 FMH Particpants’ Manual CD F30 V5 December 2013

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: How do I know when to expect the survey material?

A: An annual schedule is sent at registration or re-registration. A schedule can also be found on

the website: http://www.ukneqasfmh.org

Q: What do I do if my specimens don’t arrive when expected?

A: If they haven’t arrived by three days after the published distribution date, you should phone

the Scheme for advice on +44 (0) 1923 217878.

Q: Why is there only a one week closing date?

A: Neither the adult red cells nor the cord cells are stable enough to allow us to extend the

closing date further. The adult cells become crenated and make interpreting the film more

difficult and the cord cells appear to become fragile and may be selectively destroyed by the

preparation process for testing by flow cytometry. The steering Committee feels that it is

entirely appropriate that the EQA samples are dealt within the usual turnaround times for

clinical samples.

Q: What do I do if I miss the closing date?

A: Results can still be analysed until the reports have been published. However, late results do

attract 50 penalty points and the films must have been made, and/or the flow cytometry testing

undertaken, on or before the closing date, as the Scheme cannot guarantee the integrity of the

samples after the closing date. If in doubt, you should contact the Scheme for advice.

Q: What do I do if the sample quality is unsatisfactory or if I break the samples?

A: Phone the Scheme on +44 (0) 1923 217878 to request a repeat sample. You will be asked

for your PRN and the reason for your request.

Q: How do I register for web entry?

A: Send an email request to the scheme at [email protected]. Valid email addresses will

also be required for the consultant contacts and any other contact who requires a report.

Q: What do I do if I cannot find or have forgotten my ID or password?

A: Email the Scheme at [email protected] or phone +44 (0)1923 217878. If you are not the

main contact, your email request will need to be copied to the main contact, in order for us to

release an ID or password.

Q: Can I change my password details?

A: You are supplied with a randomly generated password. Although you may change this on

request, there are some restrictions, e.g. the password must be at least 7 characters long and

contain a mixture of alpha and numeric characters.

Q: Can I register for acid elution and flow cytometry

A: Yes you can. You will be given a second registration number (usually the same as your

original number but with a letter as a suffix, e.g. 12345A) for the second method. If you screen

by acid elution and quantify by flow cytometry, you will also need two registrations, which will

need to be managed separately by the laboratory to avoid the flow cytometry results

inadvertently influencing the screening results.

mailto:[email protected]




ORGANISATION OF THE SCHEME

Location

The Scheme is hosted by the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and is based at Watford

General Hospital, in a Unit shared with UK NEQAS (H) and (BTLP).

Postal address:

PO Box 1000,

Watford,

WD18 0RJ

Telephone: +44 (0) 1923 217878

Fax: +44 (0) 1923 217934

Email: [email protected]

Key Scheme Personnel

The Scheme is jointly managed by UK NEQAS (BTLP) and UK NEQAS (H). All staff have shared

posts:

Co-Directors: Professor Keith Hyde and Dr Megan Rowley

Co-Managers: Mrs Clare Milkins and Mrs Barbara De la Salle

Deputy Managers: Ms Jenny White, Mr Paul McTaggart

EQA scientists: Ms Nikki Emodi, Mr Arnold Mavurayi

Executive Assistant: Ms Isabella De-Rosa

Operations Supervisor: Mr Steve Herbert

Office Manager (job-share): Ms Jen Rigg/Vacancy

Oversight of EQA

There is an advisory and regulatory framework that governs EQA schemes in the UK.

Steering Committee and Specialist Advisory Group

The UK NEQAS Steering Committee for Blood Transfusion Laboratory Practice (BTLP) advises

and supports the Scheme Directors on the scientific content of the Scheme; the Steering

Committee is supported in this task by the Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) for FMH. The

Committee and SAG both comprise scientific and clinical members, and the SAG includes

experts in both acid elution and flow cytometry techniques. Membership of the Steering

Committee and SAG is ratified by and accountable to the UK NEQAS Executive Committee.

The Chairman of the Steering Committee is Dr Peter Baker, Transfusion Department, Royal

Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, L7 8XP

National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel (NQAAP) and Joint Working Group (JWG)

NQAAPs are professional groups which are responsible to the pathology professions and the Health

Departments for monitoring the maintenance of satisfactory standards of laboratory performance in

the United Kingdom, whether in the private or public sector. Their members are nominated by the

Royal College of Pathologists, the Association of Clinical Pathologists and the Institute of Biomedical

Science, as well as by specialist professional bodies. The Panels are discipline specific and the Chair

of each Panel reports to the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Quality Assurance.

UK NEQAS (FMH) makes an annual report on scheme activities and performance of UK laboratories

to the Panel for Haematology, and makes quarterly reports of Persistent Unsatisfactory Performance

to the Chair of the Panel, using defined criteria which have been approved by the Panel.

The Joint Working Group (JWG) for Quality Assurance is a multidisciplinary group accountable to the

Royal College of Pathologists for the oversight of performance in external quality assessment schemes



(EQA) in the UK. Membership consists of the Chairmen of the NQAAPs, and representatives from the

Institute of Biomedical Sciences, the Independent Healthcare Sector, the Department of Health and

UKAS. The JWG has defined Conditions of EQA Scheme Participation, which can be found on the

RCPath website*. By signing the registration form, new UK participants agree to abide by these

conditions, and existing participants indicate their continued acceptance of the Conditions at re-

registration.

*http://www.rcpath.org/committees/intercollegiate-and-joint-committees/joint-working-group-for-

quality-assessment-in-pathology – ‘Conditions of EQA Scheme Participation’ accessed as a pdf from

this page.

Confidentiality

Details of performance in the Scheme are confidential between the participating laboratory and

the Scheme Director (and designated senior UK NEQAS staff). However persistent

unsatisfactory performance is reported to the NQAAP, and the identity of the laboratory may be

revealed to the Panel, through secure means. The fact and level of participation may be

disclosed to management within the participant’s institution.

Accreditation

The Scheme has held accreditation with CPA (UK) Ltd since 1999 and is working towards ISO

Standards:17043:2010, Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing,

with inspection due in 2014.

Data Security

The Data Protection Act (1988) prevents the misuse of personal data held electronically and

ensures that organisations holding such data conform to certain standards.

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS trust is registered as a ‘data user’ under the terms of

the Act. Information provided by participants in the registration forms is held in a database in

order to identify those participants registered for a given activity and to generate address labels

for the despatch of material, reports or letters. In addition, the results from surveys are held (as

non-personal data) in a database for analysis.

The scheme uses participants’ e-mail addresses to inform them of survey distribution and

report availability; in addition they are used to inform participants of meetings and other

activities, and to invite participation in on-line surveys specifically relevant to the scheme. They

may also be used to contact or survey participants on wider aspects of anti-D prophylaxis and

FMH; however, during the registration or re-registration process, the terms and conditions for

participation allow participants to opt-out of the use of e-mail addresses for this purpose.



Helpline

Advice on any aspect of the scheme or other related matters on performance may be

sought from the Scheme Managers or senior scientific staff by telephone or in writing.

Problems or enquiries relating to a specific survey or survey material may be directed to

one of the senior scientific staff.

Invoicing or registration enquiries may be directed to a member of the administration

team.

Names and contact numbers can be found on page 2.

Complaints and appeals

The Scheme has a written complaints procedure. In the first instance, complaints regarding the

service provided by the Scheme should be directed in writing to the Scheme Director or the

Scheme Manager as appropriate to the nature of the complaint. All written complaints will

receive an acknowledgement within one week of receipt and a written response within four

weeks of receipt. Any unresolved complaints can be directed to the Chair of the Steering

Committee, the Chair of the National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel (Haematology) or the

Joint Working Group.

Appeals relating to performance issues should be made in the first instance to the Scheme

Managers or Directors. In the event of an unsatisfactory response, the appeal should be

escalated to the Chair of the Steering Committee or the Chair of the National Quality

Assurance Advisory Panel.

AIMS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME The aims of all UK NEQAS Schemes are primarily educational. Provision of identical samples

to all participating laboratories allows inter laboratory comparability and also identifies the

overall level of performance within the UK. Corrective action taken as a result of unsatisfactory

performance can lead to an improvement in proficiency within an individual laboratory.

Learning from others through reports of surveys leads to an improvement within the UK as a

whole. By linking results with techniques and procedures, specific strengths and weaknesses

can be identified, driving change. National guidelines are reinforced and the need for new

guidelines identified.

EQA forms an essential part of quality assurance within a laboratory and provides evidence of

individual laboratory performance. However, it gives only a snapshot of a laboratory’s

performance at any given time and the information reported back is inevitably a retrospective

view of the quality of results. It should be undertaken in addition to, not in place of, other quality

assurance measures.

Participation in an appropriate, accredited EQA Scheme is a requirement of accreditation to

CPA (UK) Ltd and ISO1589 standards.



SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF TESTS OFFERED Tests

Screening for FMH by acid elution (fetal cells seen and quantification triggered)

Quantification of FMH in mL

a) by acid elution

b) by flow cytometry

Additional Information collected for performance monitoring for laboratories registered

for acid elution

Initial dose of anti-D suggested

Referral for flow cytometry

The additional information is used to determine whether the participant would place a woman at

risk of sensitisation to the D antigen in a similar clinical situation.

The Scheme distributes 12 samples per year, currently two samples six times per year.

Participants receive a schedule of the survey despatch dates at registration or annual re-

registration. The schedule is also published on the website. Any changes to the schedule are

highlighted on the website and participants informed by email.

COST OF PARTICIPATION

A fee sheet is sent to prospective participants on enquiry, and to existing participants at re-

registration time. Early in the calendar year, participants receive details of how to re-register on-

line. Re-registration requires an official purchase order number to cover membership for the

following fiscal year (April to March), against which an invoice will be raised and issued during

the first quarter of the new fiscal year.

Different arrangements are in place for participants from outside of the UK, and are detailed in

the registration or re-registration documentation; costs are likely to include courier service to

ensure prompt delivery. Individual quotes are given on request. Payment may be made directly

to the Scheme or through an agent.

EQA services are subject to VAT at the standard rate. This does not apply to NHS

establishments within England, since the Scheme is hosted by an English NHS Trust.

Details of how payment may be made are included on the invoice. Non-payment within the

period stated on the invoice may result in suspension from the Scheme. Re-instatement will

incur an additional administrative fee of £50.00.

SURVEY FORMAT

Each survey includes two whole blood samples coded to denote the year, survey and ‘patient’

identity. Other forms of material, e.g. unfixed films, may be distributed on a trial basis during

the year.



PARTICIPANT REFERENCE NUMBER (PRN) At registration, each participant is assigned a PRN that is used on performance reports and for

internal data handling, in order to preserve confidentiality. This number is unique to a

participating organisation; however, the same number may be assigned to several departments

or sub-departments within the same organisation. Currently, participation in UK NEQAS

(BTLP), (H), and (FMH) by a single organisation, results in a single PRN, whilst performance

data remains confidential within each scheme. Where more than one method is registered (acid

elution and flow cytometry), the second method will be uniquely identified by the addition of a

suffix to the main PRN, e.g. PRNs 12345 and 12345A.

The option of having one PRN for participation in all UK NEQAS Schemes is now available if

required. Please contact the Scheme Managers for details.

It is essential that the PRN be correctly quoted with all communications, including telephone

enquiries.

COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORM Master address details:

New participants are required to provide addresses (postal and email) and contact numbers for

the following:

the consultant clinically responsible for FMH;

the technologist/scientist to whom the survey material will be directly addressed;

Return of results is via web-entry and accurate e-mail addresses are essential for all contacts.

Additional contacts can be registered for notification that the survey is open on the web, or that

the reports are ready to be downloaded from the web.

Letters concerning unsatisfactory performance are addressed to the consultant and copied to

the main technologist/scientist contact.

Participation details:

This section requires participants to register for all sections covering the work routinely

undertaken (by ticking the appropriate boxes) in their laboratory as follows:

Screen only

Quantification only

Screen and quantification (this will be the most common option registered).

Method and Techniques:

Participants should register for the technique(s) in use in their laboratory for

quantification of FMH: acid elution, flow cytometry or both.

Standard Dose:

Participants should register the standard post-natal dose of anti-D given in their institution.

This may not be applicable in reference laboratories.

Finance details:

Participants are requested to provide details of the invoice address along with a purchase order

number. Within the UK, invoices cannot be raised without an order number. It is important to indicate

the type of laboratory, since this may impact on VAT or postal requirements, and may also used for

performance analysis and monitoring.



Terms and conditions

By signing the registration form, new participants agree to abide by the UK NEQAS Terms and

Conditions, which in the case of UK laboratories, includes the JWG Conditions of EQA Scheme

Participation (see page 3 for details). Existing participants indicate their continued acceptance of the

Terms and Conditions at re-registration.

SOURCE AND MANIPULATION OF SURVEY MATERIALS

The survey material is prepared using adult blood obtained from the NHS Blood and Transplant

(NHSBT) and cord blood from the NHSBT Cord Bank.

All materials are tested at source for HBsAg, HIV 1, HIV 2, HCV and HTLV antibodies, and found to

be negative. However, such testing does not ensure that exercise materials are free from infectious

agents and a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) information sheet is included

with each exercise. The containers and contents must be handled and discarded in line with

laboratory policy for clinical material.

D positive cord cells are mixed with one or more donations from group AB D negative (or ABO

matched), adult donors (tested for abnormal haemoglobins) in calculated proportions for each

sample. Broad spectrum antibiotics are added to ensure sterility. The material is dispensed

using a validated technique to ensure consistency throughout the dispensing process.

DESPATCH OF SURVEY MATERIAL Survey materials are despatched within the UK by first class mail, addressed to the main

laboratory contact as defined in the registration form. Different arrangements are in place for

participants outside of the UK, and vary from country to country.

All packaging complies with current IATA regulations. The nature of the contents of the

package (‘Exempt human specimens’), the temperature of storage on receipt, and the address

of the sender are indicated on the package.

UNDERTAKING THE SURVEY General considerations

In keeping with the JWG Conditions of Participation, the EQA samples should be handled, as

far as possible, in the same way as routine clinical samples, so that the survey is representative

of routine laboratory performance, as highlighted in the following examples:

The most expert member of staff should not always perform the survey, unless there

are no other staff members are available.

There should be no collaboration between different staff members unless the results

indicate that this would be the case with a similar clinical sample (this may indeed be

the case with a positive acid elution test).

The same specimen should not be tested multiple times unless the results indicate that

this would be the case with a similar clinical specimen.

There should be no collusion with other institutions.

Spare material may be used to test additional techniques or staff members, but only after the

results have been submitted. Some spare material should also be kept until the report is



received in case repeat testing is necessary. It is also advisable to keep the blood films until

after the closing date, for in-house re-assessment or submission to the Scheme if required.

Survey Paperwork

The samples for each distribution are accompanied by Control of Substances Hazardous to

Health (COSHH) instructions, general information and survey specific instructions; result sheets

are provided for the small minority not registered for web-entry.

Completion and Submission of Result Sheets

Web-entry

On registration for web-entry, an ID code and password are supplied by e-mail, with a link to

instructions for completion of the web-forms. Hard copy result sheets are not supplied, although

a pdf template is downloadable from the website, for internal use only. Results can be partially

entered and saved at any time before the closing date. Once the ‘complete’ button is selected,

the results are submitted to the web-server and cannot be edited by the participant.

Faxed or posted copies of results will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances, and must

be discussed first with a senior member of the Scheme staff. All web results are collected

automatically as part of the closing of data entry on the web, including those ‘saved’ but not

‘submitted’. These will automatically be submitted by the Scheme on the participants’ behalf.

Web data entry instructions can be found in Appendix 1.

Paper results

The minority of participants not registered for web-entry are required to document their results

on the sheets provided. These may be returned by fax or post, but must be received by the

closing date.

Results

The stated method details should be checked to ensure that they are correct, and these

should be updated if necessary.

Actual Bleed Volume results are to be recorded as mL packed cells to one decimal place, and

the Reported FMH Result as a whole number. Percentage fetal cells should be recorded if

calculated routinely.

The calculated and prescribed anti-D doses should be given in international units (IU).

Follow-up procedures should be completed as if the EQA sample were a post delivery clinical

sample.

Examples of the result sheet can be found in Appendices 2, 3 and 4.

QUESTIONNAIRES Questionnaires regarding FMH related procedures may be issued periodically. It is extremely

important that these are completed and returned so that significant associations between

performance and procedures can be established and the analysis returned to participants.



LATE RESULTS

The Scheme tests the survey material on the closing date to provide evidence that it has

remained stable throughout the course of the distribution. Therefore, the films for acid elution

must have been made, and flow cytometry testing must have been undertaken, on or before

the closing date for late results to be accepted. Late results are analysed shortly after reports

have been posted to the web but incur a late penalty (see next section). Results received after

the results have been posted to the website will not be analysed. Participants are advised to

contact the Scheme if they are planning to submit late results.

Participants first receive a ‘non-return’ report, which includes the overall data, and any

additional attachments, e.g. supplementary reports. This is followed by a replacement report,

which includes the individual participant’s data analysed against, but not included in the overall

data.

ASSIGNED VALUES

Target bleed volume ranges are planned for the year and samples are made by adding the

calculated volume of cord cells to adult cells, taking the PCV of each into account. However,

there are other variables in both the adult and cord cells, and there is no means of validating

the absolute value of the simulated FMH. The method median is therefore used to calculate

the penalty scores as described in the next section. In-house testing is undertaken on the day

of distribution, and again on the closing date on samples which have been subjected to the

postal system. Red cell morphology and staining are assessed by acid elution, and stability is

assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, the acid elution median results are plotted by date

tested to give an additional assurance of stability. Samples which have not remained stable are

withdrawn from scoring.

Flow cytometry is the accepted reference method, and the flow cytometry median is used as

the assigned value for calculating the amount of anti-D required when identifying acid elution

users making ‘clinical significance errors’ (see next section on performance monitoring).

PENALTY SCORING SYSTEM

Analytical Performance Score

The median for each method, and the SD derived from the method inter-quartile range, are

used to produce a Deviation Index (DI). The DI from the results of the six most recent

specimens for which results have been returned is used to calculate the Analytical Performance

Score. Scoring is not applicable for acid elution where the bleed is <4mL (based on the flow

cytometry median), and is not applicable for either method where the bleed is 0mL.

There are three steps involved in the calculation of the score:

1. The method DI is calculated using the formula

DI= (R-M)

SD

Where:

R=Laboratory Result

M=Method Median

SD=Standard Deviation

2. The absolute value of the Method DI is taken (ignoring the sign) and any DI values greater than 3.5 are rounded down to 3.5, to avoid very high values having an

excessive effect on the calculation.



3. The resulting DI values for the six most recent specimens for which results have been

returned are added together and then multiplied by a constant to give the Analytical

Performance Score. The constant is currently set at 8 for acid elution and 7 for flow

cytometry.

Examples are given in tables 1 and 2 below for two laboratories at the end of 1304F:

Table 1: The following DIs were obtained for a participant using acid elution (AE)

Survey Patient 1 Patient 2

1301F -0.71 +1.65

1302F +0.05 -1.31

1303F +1.92 Not scored for AE

1304F Not scored +2.10

Score = (2.1+1.92+1.31+0.05+1.65+0.71) x8 = 61.9

Table 2: The following DIs were obtained for a participant using Flow Cytometry (FC)

Survey Patient 1 Patient 2

1301F Not included in most

recent 6

+2.7

1302F +4.87 +4.87

1303F +5.17 Not scored

1304F -2.97 +3.07

Score = (3.07+2.97+3.5+3.5+3.5+2.7) x7 = 134.7

PERFORMANCE MONITORING Participants’ performance is monitored in four areas:

1. The numerical score for accuracy of quantification, described in the previous section.

2. Grossly outlying acid elution results.

3. The clinical significance of decision-making by participants registered for acid elution,

relating to anti-D dosing and follow-up. This is designed to identify episodes where

women would be put at risk of sensitization in a similar clinical situation.

4. Return of results.

Definition of unsatisfactory performance (UP)

1. An initial analytical score of 100 or an existing score of >100 but falling (see Table 3)

2. A single grossly outlying result, where the DI is <-2 or >3.5. These values are subject

to review.

3. An insufficient dose of anti-D (to cover the flow cytometry method median) combined

with no recommendation for follow-up.

4. An insufficient dose of anti-D (to cover the flow cytometry method median) where the

screen does not trigger quantification (in-house or referral).

5. Late or non-return of results in two of three consecutive surveys.



Definition of persistent unsatisfactory performance (PUP)

1. An analytical score of 100 where this is rising (see Table 3).

2. One episode or more of unsatisfactory performance in 2 of 3 consecutive surveys.

3. Two episode of UP due to late or non-return of results in a 12 month period.

Table 3 - Definition of Borderline, UP and PUP for analytical penalty scoring

Performance Performance

status

Score of 80-99 Borderline

Score of 100+ UP

Score of 100+ and falling UP

Score of 100+ and rising or not falling (inc non-return) PUP

Score of 100+ on two occasions in one 12 month period PUP

UK laboratories identified as PUPs are contacted by the Scheme in writing. Letters are

accompanied by a ‘Corrective and Preventive Action’ (CAPA) form, for the participants to

document their investigation, implications for clinical practice and corrective actions. These

should be returned to the Scheme to aid effective performance monitoring. PUPs are also

reported to the National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Haematology on a quarterly

basis. UK laboratories identified as UPs are contacted in writing at the discretion of the Scheme

Director.

Standard letters are sent to UK laboratories reaching a score of 80, suggesting a review of

procedures, and offering assistance with any problems.

REPORTS Individual and overall reports

Each participant receives an individual, confidential report showing the overall results for the

current survey within their method group, plus their own current and cumulative results to

demonstrate the trends in performance. These are posted to the web within four working days

of the closing date. Supplementary reports may also be distributed containing further analysis

and discussion. An example of each type of report is shown in Appendices 5, 6 and 7.

An anonymised copy of the acid elution and flow cytometry quantification reports are also made

available on the web server.

Use of reports

Reports are subject to copyright and may not be distributed, published or used for publicity in any

form without the written consent of the Scheme Director on each and every occasion, though the

participant may share their performance data with individual clients (eg GPs, clinicians) without

consultation.



RELATED SCHEMES

UK NEQAS for General Haematology

Mrs Barbara De la Salle

Scheme Manager, UK NEQAS (H)

PO Box 14

Watford WD18 0FJ

Telephone: INT + 44 (0)1923 217878

Fax: INT + 44 (0)1923 217879

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.ukneqash.org

UK NEQAS for Blood Transfusion Laboratory Practice

Mrs Clare Milkins

Scheme Manager, UK NEQAS (BTLP)

PO Box 133

Watford WD18 0WP

Telephone: INT + 44 (0)1923 217933

Fax: INT + 44 (0)1923 217934


Website: www.ukneqasbtlp.org

UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation

Mr Tim Woods

Scheme Manager, UK NEQAS (BC)

Pegasus House,

463A Glossop Road

Sheffield S10 2QD

Telephone: 0114 267 3300

Fax: 0114 267 3309


Website: www.ukneqasbc.org

UK NEQAS for Haematinics Assays

Ms Sheena Blackmore

Scheme Manager, UK NEQAS (Haematinic Assays)

Haematology Department

Good Hope Hospital

Rectory Road

Sutton Coldfield B75 7RR

Telephone: 0121 378 2211, xtn 2201/2

Fax: 0121 311 1141


Website: www.ukneqas-haematinics.org.uk







UK NEQAS for Leucocyte Immunophenotyping

Dr David Barnett

Scheme Manager, UK NEQAS (LI)

Pegasus House,

463A Glossop Road

Sheffield S10 2QD Telephone: 0114 267 3609 Fax: 0114 267 3601 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ukneqasli.org


http://www.ukneqasli.org/



Appendix 1

Instructions for web return of results and accessing reports

Web return of FMH results 1. Accessing web data entry

Go to www.ukneqasfmh.org and click on ‘Survey Data Entry System’ (circled) on the left hand side of the homepage.

2. Logging into the data entry pages

Enter your lab's PRN in the Lab Code box.

Enter the Web ID from the email we sent to you in the Identity box

Enter the Web Password from the email we sent you in the Password box.

Click Log in



3. Selecting the FMH Scheme Once you login you will be presented with this screen:

Click the drop down “-- Select a programme --”

Click on “Feto Maternal Haemorrhage”.

The page will now list all your FMH exercises:

This screen gives you details regarding each exercise:

Dist. No: The unique number for the exercise. Date Issued: The date which we created the exercise. Closing Date: The date on which we will collect your submitted results. Completed: A tick under this column means you have submitted your data. It is

important that after you submit your results you check that this column has a tick next to the exercise you have just completed. If it does not, we will not receive your results.

Data Collected: A tick under this column means that we have collected your results.

Dist. Closed: A tick under this column means the exercise is now closed and results cannot be entered or altered.

Report: A tick under this column means that your online report is available to view. Questionniare: A tick in this column means that there is a questionnniare

associated with the exercise that is accessible from the data entry screen.

Click on the exercise for which you want to enter results to open the data entry page.



4. Entering, saving and submitting results

To enter results, type in the date received and analysed, select the appropriate radio buttons for Sample Quality, select the appropriate methods, and type in the FMH values into the boxes displayed (these will vary according to FMH method and level of registration).

Click the ‘Save’ button to save entered results without submitting them. This allows you to navigate away from the results page and when you come back everything you entered will still be there for you to view or edit.

Click on the ‘Submit’ button to save and submit your results to us, after which time you will be able to view the results but not edit them.

When you save or submit your results you will be redirected to the web page with all the exercises listed. If you have clicked Submit make sure that there is a tick next to the exercise you have just completed under the Completed column like this:

N.B. All results that have been saved but not submitted will be collected on the closing date and assessed.



Accessing FMH reports on the web

1. Follow steps 1 to 3 of instructions for web return of results to access the data entry pages. Exercises for which the report is ready will have a tick in the ‘Report’ column.

2. Highlight the distribution that you want the report for and click on it. This will open the Sample entry details window. Click on the ‘Reports’ button (circled below), and a new window will open listing the reports available for this exercise.

3. Click on the ‘Your Report’ folder to see your individual report. Other reports of general interest may also be available, and can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate line. Additional information that would have been circulated with paper reports will also be available here, e.g. report supplements, meeting flyers etc.



4. You can now view the reports, save a copy or print the reports using the appropriate buttons on the Adobe Reader menu bar. If you wish to view reports from another Survey you should go back to the list of distributions. You need to wait for around one minute between opening different PDF Reports on the Web Results Service. This is because the system caches the details of the report and another report cannot be opened until the cache is cleared. The cache is cleared after one minute (the minimum value that can be set).

5. To Log off the web server, click on the ‘Back to List’ button and then click on the ‘Logout’ button or exit from your browser in the usual way.

Note: PDF copies of reports will remain on the website for six months after which they may be archived to off-line storage.

If you have any problems with the website please contact us on 01923 217878



Appendix 2: Example result sheet (Acid elution quantification)



Appendix 3: Example result sheet (Flow cytometry quantification)



Appendix 4: Example result sheet (Acid elution screening only)



Appendix 5 An example of a report for quantification by acid elution, showing the summary page

and one of the three pages with details relating to each specimen.





Appendix 6 An example of a report for quantification by flow cytometry, showing the summary

page and one of the three pages with details relating to each specimen.





Appendix 7 An example of a report for screening by acid elution



Documents

UK NEQAS (FMH) Participants’ Manual manual version 5.pdf · UK NQAS (MH) Participants’ Manual Page 3 of 27 MH Particpants’ Manual CD F30 V5 December 2013 (EQA) in the UK. Membership