UK Neqas Cardiac Markers

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, operating UK NEQAS Cardiac Markers, is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider (No:8560)(BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010). We are a non-profit centre working within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to improve cardiac biomarker investigations in the clinical laboratory sector for the benefit of patients.

Cardiac markers, especially Troponin I (cTnI) and Troponin T (cTnT), are critical measurements in acute coronary syndrome. Most authorities recommend that these measurements are carefully quality controlled. UKNEQAS Cardiac Marker schemes meet the external quality assessment (EQA) requirements of members by providing monthly distributions of samples with clinically relevant levels of these markers.

The scheme is a full member of UK NEQAS. The cardiac troponin EQA schemes have been in operation since 1998.

The following EQA schemes are UKAS accredited. However, some schemes with low participant numbers and pilot schemes are outwith scope of this accreditation (*):

Laboratory Based Schemes: cTnI (including high sensitivity methods), hsTnT, CKMB, Myoglobin, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and NT-proB-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP).

Point of Care Schemes - cTnI, cTnT*, CKMB*, Myoglobin*, and NT-proBNP*.

A Pilot Point of Care Scheme for hs cTnI* is now available - please contact the scheme for further information.

Update to 2023 Distribution Schedule: distribution dates have been amended for the December distribution. Please refer to the distribution schedule for updated dates.

Distribution Schedule 2024: distribution dates for 2024 are now available.

From Distribution 291 performance criteria for the C score will be reduced from 20% to 15%.
This change is for Troponin I and Troponin T methods only

Due to the low troponin concentrations found in sample D the C score will remain as 25%.
This change has been approved by our Specialist Advisory Groups.

Dr Naomi Elkin (Scheme Organiser)

Save the date! Cardiac Marker Dialogues will be returning in 2024. The 6th Cardiac Marker Dialogues meeting will be held in Glasgow on 26-27 September 2024. Further information for this meeting can be found on https://www.cmdmeeting.org.uk

A successful UK NEQAS Chemistry Division Webinar on Cardiac Markers was held on 7th July 2022.

Distribution 306 for November 2023:

Samples will be dispatched to laboratories during the week beginning 6th November 2023.
Data entry for this distribution opens on 6th November 2023.
Final date for return of results is 24th November 2023.
Reports will be issued week beginning 27th November 2023.
Reports now available for distribution 305 (October 2023).

Information on customs information for EU participants is available in our news section under Customs Information

Cardiac Markers

UK NEQAS Cardiac Markers is organised to provide a UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for the assay of cardiac Troponin Iand Troponin T (including high sensitivity methods), Creatine Kinase (MB), Myoglobin, B-type Naturetic Peptide and N-Terminal -ProB-type Naturetic Peptide and will develop appropriate EQA schemes for new cardiac biomarkers. Schemes are available for both laboratory systems and for point of care systems.

Participation

Our schemes are open to all clinical/research laboratories in the UK and overseas. It is anticipated that the majority of participants will be UK NHS laboratories. The Scheme will accept participants from the private sector and from the diagnostics industry, within or out with theUK on the same basis (with fee adjustment) as UK laboratory participants.

Collaboration

We see it as part of the duty of an EQA scheme to give advice to participating laboratories about assay problems related to the EQA when this is asked for. The EQA response to poor laboratory performance is separately described. We have contacts with developing cardiac Troponin EQA schemes in EU countries and elsewhere. We think it important to foster and contribute to these information links as there are substantial inter-assay calibration problems which still remain to be solved.

Pilot Scheme for Point of Care hs Troponin I

We have launched a pilot scheme for point of care high senstivity Troponin I. Please contact us if you are interested in joining the scheme or would like more information.

Cardiac Troponin I and T: C-Score Change

From Distribution 291 performance criteria for the C score will be reduced from 20% to 15%.This change is for Troponin I and Troponin T methods only Due to the low troponin concentrations found in sample D the C score will remain as 25%.This change has been approved by our Specialist Advisory Groups. Alan Reid, Scheme […]

Introducing The New Scheme Organiser

I am retiring at the end of September 2022. The UKNEQAS Board has approved the appointment of Dr Naomi Elkin as Scheme Organiser form 1st September 2022. Her email is naomi.elkin@ggc.scot.nhs.uk I will be available, on a consultancy basis, to assist Naomi for a short period of time. Best Wishes Alan Reid

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