Product Spotlight: Liquid Lipid Control
Product Spotlight: Liquid Lipid Control
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It is usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries and increased risk of blood clots. It can be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidney and eyes. Some types of CVD include coronary heart disease, strokes and aortic disease. Some of the main causes of CVD are smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure (NHS, 2016).
These diseases can be extremely dangerous and lead to permanent damage or even death, therefore, it is vitally important for laboratories to be confident in their analyser’s ability to accurately diagnose and monitor the risk of these diseases.
The Randox Acusera Liquid Lipid quality control includes assayed target values and ranges for 8 analytes covering the complete lipid profile. With a 30 day open vial stability the Acusera Liquid Lipid control will reduce waste, whilst remaining easy and convenient to use. Three distinct levels are available covering low risk, borderline risk, and high risk concentrations of HDL and LDL cholesterol, ensuring the clinically relevant decision levels are tested, eliminating the need to purchase additional high and low level controls. Containing no Sodium Azide, which can interfere with direct clearance methods for detecting HDL and LDL cholesterol, ensuring ultimate accuracy and confidence in results.
Key Features & Benefits
- Liquid for ease of use
- 100% human serum
- Assayed target values provided
- True third party control
- Stable to expiry date at -20°C to -80°
- Open vial stability of 30 days at 2°C to 8°C
Analytes
Apolipoprotein A | Apolipoprotein B | Cholesterol (HDL) | Cholesterol (LDL)
Cholesterol (Total) | C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Lipoprotein (a) | Triglycerides
HDL Cholesterol
High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) are one of the major classes of plasma lipoproteins. HDL is often referred to as ‘good cholesterol’ because it transports cholesterol from the tissues of the liver for removal from the body. High levels of HDL can indicate a lower risk of developing heart disease.
Apolipoprotein A-1
Apolipoprotein A-1 is one of the main protein forms found in High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). The chief role of Apolipoprotein A-1 is in the activation of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and the capture and removal of free cholesterol from extra hepatic tissue. Studies have shown that there is an inverse relationship between Apolipoprotein A-1 and coronary artery disease (CAD).
References
NHS. (2016). Heart attack. nhs.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2018, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014). Myocardial infarction (acute) Early rule out using high-sensitivity troponin tests. Nice.org.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2018, from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/dg15/chapter/3-clinical-need-and-practice
Product Spotlight: RIQAS CO-Oximetry EQA
RIQAS CO-Oximetry EQA
The RIQAS CO-Oximetry EQA Programme is a comprehensive programme suitable for monitoring the performance of 7 CO-Oximetry parameters. All samples are supplied in a liquid ready-to-use format ideal for both clinical and point-of-care testing (POCT).
Background
CO-Oximetry is a methodology that measures the levels of the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin, which is the chief component of red blood cells. CO-Oximetry is a useful tool in that it helps determine the levels of various forms of haemoglobin.
Key Benefits & Features
- Liquid ready-to-use
- Monthly reporting
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.Net
- Suitable for POCT
Liquid ready-to-use
The liquid stable formulation requires no preparation making the samples extremely easy and convenient to use.
Consolidation
Covering 7 CO-Oximetry parameters, the RIQAS CO-Oximetry programme offers a streamlined approach to your EQA, allowing you to test your whole CO-Oximetry menu.
RIQAS
RIQAS is the largest international External Quality Assessment (EQA)/ Proficiency Testing (PT) scheme, there are currently more than 45,000 participants in 133 countries. World renowned for reducing the number of individual programmes required by even the most demanding laboratories.
Analytes
- Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb / HbCO)
- Methaemoglobin (MetHb)
- Oxygen Content (O₂CT)
- Oxygen Saturation (sO₂ / Vol O₂)
- Oxyhaemoglobin (O₂Hb / HbO₂)
- Total Haemoglobin (tHb)
- Reduced / Deoxyhaemoglobin (RHb / HHb)
Related Products
RIQAS Blood Gas EQA
Suitable for monitoring the performance of 10 blood gas parameters.
- Accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
- Liquid ready-to-use
- Aqueous material
- Monthly reporting
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.Net
- Suitable for POCT
Download some of our related brochures below and broaden your understanding.
References
Chatburn, R. (2014). To co-ox or not to co-ox. Acutecaretesting.org. Retrieved 19 February 2018, from https://acutecaretesting.org/en/articles/to-coox-or-not-to-coox
Product Spotlight: Liquid Urinalysis Control
Liquid Urinalysis Quality Control
The Randox Acusera Urinalysis Quality Control is designed primarily to ensure accurate test system performance however offer the laboratory additional benefits that will help them to meet regulatory requirements whilst also reducing costs and time.
Background
It is estimated that 1 in 2 people will be affected by a urological condition at some point in their lifetime. Conditions and diseases related to kidneys, bladder and prostate, among others, are commonplace and can be devastating for millions of men, women and children across the globe.
Urological conditions can be common, such as urinary tract infections, or they can be much more serious, for example, prostate or testicular cancer.
Urinalysis is used as a screening or diagnostic tool because it can detect kidney and metabolic disorders. Often, substances such as glucose or protein will appear in the urine before a patient is aware that they have a problem. In some conditions, urinalysis also provides an easy and economical test to track patient progress, for example, if you want to know if a condition is improving.
Key Benefits & Features
- Liquid ready-to-use
- 100% human urine
- Assayed ranges provided for 13 parameters
- Suitable for use in POC testing
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
- Open vial stability of 30 days at 2°C – 25°C (20 immersions for UC5033/5034)
Consolidation
As a leading provider of multi-analyte, third party controls, Randox helps busy laboratories significantly reduce the number of controls needed to cover their test menu. The Randox Liquid Urinalysis Control combines multiple analytes into a single control reduces cost, preparation time, and required storage space without sacrificing quality. Analytes at key decision levels will ensure test system performance across the clinical range. It can also be used in monitoring the performance of both automated and manual methods of urine test strip analysis.
Liquid Stable
Samples are conveniently supplied ready-to-use requiring no preparation as such they can save valuable laboratory time. The Acusera Liquid Urinalysis Control can be used for POCT as well as laboratory based testing.
True third party quality control
The Acusera Liquid Urinalysis Quality Control is a true third party control designed to provide an unbiased assessment of performance with a range of instruments and methods, helping your laboratory meet the ISO 15189 requirements.
“the use of third party control materials should be considered,
either instead of, or in addition to, any control materials
supplied by the reagent or instrument manufacturer”.
Analytes
- Albumin
- Bilirubin
- Blood
- Creatinine
- Glucose
- hCG
- Ketones
- Leukocytes
- Nitrate
- pH
- Protein
- Specific Gravity
- Urobilinogen
Complete QC solution
The combining of the Acusera Liquid Urinalysis Quality Control, RIQAS Urinalysis EQA programme, and our Acusera 24•7 software will provide a complete QC solution for laboratories of all sizes.
Download some of our related brochures below and broaden your understanding.
Product Spotlight: Maternal Screening
Maternal Screening Control
Background
A maternal serum screening test (MSS) is a blood test offered to pregnant women that helps determine the risk of Down’s syndrome and other chromosomal conditions, further testing can be offered if the patient is found to be high risk. It can be performed at 10 weeks (combined first trimester screening test), and 14-20 weeks (second trimester maternal serum screening test).
MSS is generally offered to all pregnant women, but the decision to have the test is a personal decision.
Quality Control is an important part of any diagnostic test but is of particular importance in screening methods, when a disorder must be detected without the presence of symptoms. In such screening methods, errors can present as false negative or false positive results both of which can have devastating consequences. In the case of maternal screening a false positive result could mean additional and often invasive procedures which can carry risk of harm to the unborn child. The accuracy and reliability of the laboratory test results are extremely important in minimising both false positive and false negative results.
Product Overview
The Randox Acusera Maternal Screening quality control is the only commercially available control which covers all six analytes used during first and second trimester screening of Down’s syndrome and Spina Bifida.
Instrument specific target values and ranges are provided for AFP, Inhibin A, PAPP-A, β hCG, Total hCG and Unconjugated Estriol. The inclusion of PAPP-A and Inhibin A eliminates the need to purchase additional controls at extra expense.
Key Benefits & Features
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- 100% human serum
- Assayed target values provided for 6 parameters
- Suitable for double, triple and quad screens
- Unconjugated Estriol present at clinically significant levels
- Reconstituted stability of 7 days at 2°C – 8°C
- Stable to expiry date at 2°C – 8°C
Consolidation
As a leading provider of multi-analyte, third party controls, Randox helps busy laboratories significantly reduce the number of controls needed to cover their test menu. Combining multiple analytes into a single control reduces cost, preparation time, and required storage space without sacrificing quality.
Analytes at key decision levels will not only ensure test system performance across the clinical range but will further aid consolidation and maximise laboratory efficiency by eliminating the need to purchase additional and often expensive low or high level controls.
First and second trimester
As the only control on the market to cover all first and second trimester analytes, you can be sure that your lab is covering all bases.
True third party control
The Acusera Maternal Screening Control is a true third party control designed to provide an unbiased assessment of performance with a range of instruments and methods, helping your laboratory meet the ISO 15189 requirements.
“the use of third party control materials should be considered,
either instead of, or in addition to, any control materials
supplied by the reagent or instrument manufacturer”.
Analytes
- AFP
- PAPP-A
- Free Beta hCG
- Total hCG
- Inhibin A
- Unconjugated Oestriol
Related Products:
Download some of our related brochures below and broaden your understanding.
Product Spotlight: Liquid CSF Control
Liquid CSF Control
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) is produced by the body to protect, provide nutrients, and remove waste from the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and a complex neuron network. It is responsible for sending information to and receiving information from all parts of the body, co-ordinating organ function and responding to changes in the immediate external environment.
When testing CSF, it is removed from the subarachnoid space via lumbar puncture or spinal tap. The analysis of CSF includes tests such as; clinical chemistry, haematology, immunology and microbiology. These are used to diagnose serious bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, such as meningitis, a cerebral bleed, cancer involving the CNS and inflammatory conditions of the CNS.
Product Overview
Providing a true third party solution for the measurement of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), the Acusera Liquid CSF Control is designed to deliver an unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance helping to ensure accurate and reliable patient testing of 14 analytes.
Key Features & Benefits
- Liquid ready-to-use samples requiring no preparation
- Human based material
- Assayed target values available
- True third party control providing unbiased performance assessment
- Shelf life of 2 years from date of manufacture
- Open vial stability of 30 days at 2ºC to 8ºC
Unrivalled Stability
Our Liquid CSF Control boasts a remarkable 30-day open vial stability reducing waste, while remaining easy and convenient to use.
A True Third Party Control
The Acusera CSF Control is a true third party control designed to provide an unbiased assessment of performance with a range of instruments and methods, helping your laboratory meet the ISO 15189 requirements.
“the use of third party control materials should be considered,
either instead of, or in addition to, any control materials
supplied by the reagent or instrument manufacturer”.
Analytes
- Albumin (electrophoresis)
- Alpha – 1- globulin (electrophoresis)
- Alpha – 2- globulin (electrophoresis)
- Beta- globulin (electrophoresis)
- Chloride
- Gamma – globulin (electrophoresis)
- Glucose
- hsIgA
- hsIgG
- hsIgM
- Lactate
- Microalbumin
- Protein (Total)
- Sodium
Download some of our related brochures below and broaden your understanding.
Product Spotlight: PTH Control
PTH Control
PTH is a notoriously unstable analyte and many competitors make reduced stability claims in their Immunoassay controls. Randox’s Liquid PTH Control provides laboratories with a dedicated product with an extended, 30-day, open vial stability to reduce waste and costs.
Parathyroid Hormone, better known as PTH, is produced by the Parathyroid glands to help the body maintain steady
volumes of calcium in the blood stream. PTH is part of a ‘feedback loop’ which also includes; calcium, vitamin
D, phosphate and magnesium. Interruptions to this loop can result in higher or lower levels of calcium or
PTH, leading to Hypercalcaemia or Hypocalcaemia. The Parathyroid Glands are responsible for the secretion of PTH in response to low calcium concentrations in the blood.
Product Overview
Released in 2016, Randox’s Liquid PTH Control provides a true third party solution for the measurement of Intact PTH, delivering an unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance.
Key Features & Benefits
- Liquid for ease-of-use
- Human based serum
- Assayed target values available for many immunoassay platforms
- Stable to expiry date at -20°C to 70°C
- Open vial stability of 30 days at 2°C to 8°C
Unrivalled Stability
Our Liquid PTH Control boasts a remarkable 30-day open vial stability! Many competitors fail to make stability claims in their immunoassay controls. Our PTH control includes target values and ranges, eliminating the need for extra validation work.
A True Third Party Control
The Acusera PTH Control is a true third party control designed to provide an unbiased assessment of performance with a range of instruments and methods, helping your laboratory meet the ISO 15189 requirements.
“the use of third party control materials should be considered,
either instead of, or in addition to, any control materials
supplied by the reagent or instrument manufacturer”.
Liquid Frozen
Available in three levels Acusera PTH Control is supplied in liquid frozen format, ensuring ease-of-use with no need to reconstitute. Coupled with it’shuman based matrix, it’s perfect for any laboratories conducting PTH testing.
Analytes
Intact PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)
Download some of our related brochures below and broaden your understanding.
New Acusera PTH Control for Randox Quality Control
Randox Quality Control are pleased to announce a further expansion to our comprehensive laboratory quality control portfolio, the Acusera PTH Control.
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is a hormone released by the parathyroid glands. It is often referred to as the parathormone and is often requested to help determine the cause of a low or high calcium concentration, helping to distinguish between parathyroid related and non-parathyroid related causes.
For health professionals
The new PTH Control has been designed with convenience in mind, providing laboratories with a true third party solution for the measurement of PTH. Our assayed liquid control has been developed with an extended open vial stability of 30 days and 2 year shelf life, reducing waste and ensuring consistency for this notoriously unstable assay.
Is your laboratory currently running PTH? Are you seeing shifts in QC results when you change reagent batch? If so, visit the new Acusera PTH Control product page for more information or register your interest.
