CQAS and the future
The Scheme is always looking to improve the service it provides and is keen to listen to views of participants, who have a clear perception of some of the things that they want from an EQA scheme. Previous developments have included:
Specific surveys for "dosing" of warfarin.
Issues of "fresh", unfixed samples for FBC and white cell differential.
Work on low platelets and white cell counts
Evaluations of new plasma viscometers
Within the routine trials, the scheme is hoping to produce samples with raised white cell counts and issue more samples with raised platelet counts following success in a single dispatch in 2009.
Pilot CoaguChek XS and XS Plus trials have shown good agreement between participant INR results and the scheme hopes to be able to include these instruments in the Capillary Anticoagulation Control package (QA5) in the near future.
CQAS is keen to develop collaborative partners and participant bases within the European Union. As part of this development we would be keen to discuss the potential for pilot participation in any (or all) of our packages with a view to looking at the logistics of transporting samples over a long distance and maintaining the integrity of the sample. It would also give laboratories an opportunity to see whether the scheme would work for them before making any firm commitment.