CQAS always tries to achieve as rapid turnaround as possible and to supply regular EQA material.   Routine haematology and coagulation packages are distributed every two weeks and results are analysed and reported within hours of the final submission time. 

 

The scheme now provides online submission of results for these packages and is working towards participants printing or downloading their reports from this web site in a pdf file. Currently, laboratories are also asked to fax or email results up to 11.00 on the analysis day as a paper report is still issued.  

Results for all other packages are submitted by email of fax by the closing date and a paper report issued within stated timelines. Presentation of results is simple, with minimal statistical manipulation and emphasis on simple, user-friendly key points.

 

Professional oversight of the scheme is carried out by the UK National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel (NQAAP) for Haematology, for whom a detailed annual report is produced. NQAAP may recommend the introduction of new trials or the modification of existing ones. They also approve and monitor the criteria for poor performance and ensure that the scheme is maintaining an appropriate balance between monitoring of performance and education and improvement.

 

The general strategies for the scheme are focused by the Steering Committee, a team of professionals (doctors and scientists), most of whom are drawn from participating laboratories. They work closely with the CQAS management team to direct issues such as:-

 

The range of trial surveys offered

 

The types of sample used and the frequency of distribution

 

The methods employed for statistical analysis

 

The means by which the statistical and performance data is presented

 

New investigation, research and development

 

The CQAS management team also have a close working relationship with participants, whose views are taken seriously and acted upon to improve the service offered.

 

The CQAS-participant interface can take a number of formats. The most simple is two-way phone, fax and e-mail contact, which most participants will use from time to time, even if just for simple enquiries. More formal arrangements, such as a participants forum and user questionnaires can both gain opinions and encourage debate. The scheme is inspected every two years by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (EQA) and part of the inspection involves a survey of user satisfaction. It is also vital that CQAS has a good working relationship with manufacturers. EQA is a team game which requires input from all of the players.