Haematology
Specimens
3-5 cases and digital images (DiaMed and Grifols cards).
Examinations
Interpretation of the cases and reaction strengths of the digital images.
Important Notes
Post-analytical scheme for blood transfusion procedures.
Microbiology
Specimens
3 air-dried, unfixed microbe suspensions on a slide.
Examinations
Staining and microscopy.
Important Notes
Microbiology
Specimens
2 air-dried, unfixed microbe suspensions on slides. Brief case histories also given.
Examinations
Staining and microscopy.
Important Notes
1 result processed.
Microbiology
Specimens
3 cases, 3–9 digital images.
Examinations
Interpretation of digital images taken from direct bacteriological Gram staining of clinical samples.
Important Notes
Microbiology
Specimens
2 lyophilised samples and dilutor. Brief case histories also given. Pre- and/or post-analytical cases in part of the rounds
Examinations
Culture and quantitation, pre-and/or post-analytical indicators
Important Notes
Scheme 3170 available for urine bacterial screening with automated analysers. Four rounds per year.
Microbiology
Specimens
2 lyophilised samples and dilutor. Brief case histories also given. The samples intended for susceptibility testing may include both international quality control strains and susceptible or resistant clinical strains. Pre- and/or post-analytical cases in part of the rounds
Examinations
Culture, quantitation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pre-and/or post-analytical indicators
Important Notes
Scheme 3170 available for urine bacterial screening with automated analysers. Four rounds per year.
Microbiology
Specimens
1 lyophilised mixture of microbes; including pathogens and/or normal flora
Examinations
The scheme is intended for laboratories performing screening of MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) by culture and/or direct nucleic acid detection method
Important Notes
MRSA screening by culture and/or molecular methods for infection control purposes. Four rounds per year.
Microbiology
Specimens
1 lyophilised mixture of microbes; including pathogens and/or normal flora
Examinations
The scheme is intended for laboratories performing screening of VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) by culture and/or direct nucleic acid detection method
Important Notes
VRE screening by culture and/or molecular methods for infection control purposes. Four rounds per year.
Microbiology
Specimens
1 lyophilised mixture of microbes; including pathogens and/or normal flora
Examinations
The scheme is intended for laboratories performing screening of multidrug resistant gramnegative rods (e.g. CPE, ESBL, MDR Acinetobacter and P. aeruginosa) by culture and/or direct nucleic acid detection method
Important Notes
Screening for multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria including CPE, ESBL producers, and MDR Acinetobacter. Four rounds per year.
Microbiology
Specimens
4 lyophilised mixtures of microbes: both pathogens and normal flora. The samples intended for susceptibility testing may include both international quality control strains and susceptible or resistant clinical strains. Brief case histories are also given. Pre- and/or post-analytical cases in part of the rounds.
Examinations
Isolation of pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pre- and/or post-analytical cases.
Important Notes
5080 includes 5081, General Bacteriology 2. EQA3 scheme. 1 result processed.
Microbiology
Specimens
2 lyophilised mixtures of microbes: both pathogens and normal flora. The specimens intended for susceptibility testing may include both international quality control strains and susceptible or resistant clinical strains. Brief case histories are also given. Pre- and/or post-analytical cases in part of the rounds.
Examinations
Isolation of pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pre- and/or post-analytical cases.
Important Notes
5080 General Bacteriology 1 includes 5081. EQA3 scheme. 1 result processed.
Microbiology
Specimens
2 simulated samples, 1 mL
Examinations
High-risk human papillomavirus NAT (hrHPVNAT). HPV genotypes included are: 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 51, 52, 66, 67
Important Notes
Suitable for nucleic acid methods used in cervical cancer screening. The samples contain hDNA. Four rounds per year.