Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme – RIQAS at the Point of Care
Designed to improve the quality of Point of Care testing in locations such as pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospital out patient departments, sports clinics, supermarkets, diagnostic/treatment and walk-in centres, RIQAS Point of Care provides independent evidence of the accuracy and reliability of test results. Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS) is the world’s largest EQA scheme with over 45,000 participants in more than 133 countries.
Why RIQAS Point of Care?
Whole blood sample
The RIQAS Point of Care scheme is unique in distributing blood rather than serum, mimicking what is typically analysed at the point of care and allowing a truer reflection of analyser performance.
One Sample, One Scheme
A ‘One Sample, One Scheme’ solution means all tests are available from a single sample, avoiding the need to participate in multiple EQA schemes.
Ready-to-Use
Samples are supplied in a convenient ready-to-use format, meaning no preparation is required.
Online User Portal
Our user portal offers an easy-to-use interface for programme registration, result submission, and report retrieval. Users can also add new operators, update contact details and analyser specification.
Independent Assessment
We provide independent evidence of satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance.
Easy to Use
Our convienient traffic light system ensures reports are easy to interpret and reflect the accuracy and reliability of patients’ results.
Comprehensive
Historical reports allow analyser calibration issues to be distinguished from operator performance issues.
Customer Support
We support clients in improving their performance while also providing support to commissioners in performance monitoring and management.
Versatile
The scheme is suitable for use with all Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices capable of measuring one or more of the following tests: HDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, HbA1c and C-Reactive Protein (CRP).
Patient Safety
The scheme enhances patient safety in diagnosis and management of long term conditions.
How it Works
On a monthly basis we will distribute an identical sample of blood to all participating sites. Each participating site will test the sample in the same way they would test a real patient sample, then return their test results to RIQAS within a set time. The scheme is unique in distributing whole blood samples rather than serum based samples, this ensures that samples act identically to real patient samples at the point of care.An electronic report is then sent to participants, comparing their results with other participants using the same analyser. Satisfactory and unsatisfactory performance is represented using a traffic light system, allowing instant identification of any issues. A more detailed breakdown of performance may be obtained if further information is required. With time, an overall picture will emerge showing whether results are consistently accurate and reliable or whether there may be an underlying analyser and/or operator issue.
Tests and Analysers
Test Role Analysers HbA1c • Diagnosing diabetes mellitus
• Monitoring treatment
• Encouraging self-managementAbbott Afinion®
Roche Cobas b101®
Quo-Test®
A1c Now+®Total Cholesterol & HDL Cholesterol • Risk factors for heart disease
• Monitoring lipid lowering therapyBHR CardioChek®
Roche Cobas b101®
Abbott Afinion®
Abbott Cholestek®C-Reactive Protein (CRP) • Early detection of infectious disease
• Identifying need for antibiotic treatmentAbbott Afinion®
Roche Cobas b101®Note – The RIQAS Point of Care range is constantly expanding to include new tests and analysers. Please contact us if your desired analyser or test is not currently displayed.Ordering Information
Panel Catalogue Number Lipids RQ9181/A Lipids + 1 panel RQ9181/B Lipids + 2 panels RQ9181/C Additional Sample RQ9181/D What Paricipants Say
Our unrivalled commitment to quality and service ensures high levels of customer satisfaction, this is evident from the responses to our latest customer satisfaction survey:“All in all a quick and efficient service”
“Good online system”
“Very helpful team”
“Excellent training”
“They are an experienced team”
“Very satisfied with the service that we receive”
“Very good value for money”Distribution Dates
Distribution Month Distribution Number Sample Distributed Result Submission Deadline August H18 6th August 2018 13th August 2018 September J18 4th September 2018 10th September 2018 October K18 2nd October 2018 8th October 2018 November L18 6th November 2018 12th November 2018 December M18 4th December 2018 10th December 2018 Importance of Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is an essential aspect of any clinical/diagnostic testing service and is aimed at ensuring the accuracy and reliability of patients’ results. The right result allows the right clinical advice to be offered in a timely manner. Quality assurance operates at two levels:
Internal Quality Control
Internal Quality Control includes operator training/ competency assessment, analyser/ test system maintenance, and adherence to policies/ processes. Whilst some POC analysers include inbuilt quality checks, cross-check analysis against samples with known levels provides immediate assurance and evidence that a patient’s result is safe to report.
External Quality Assessment
External Quality Assessment involves analysis of samples with unknown levels that have been distributed by an external organisation. Participants are informed how their results compare with other participants, hence providing independent evidence of performance. Increasingly, participation in an external quality assessment scheme is becoming a mandatory requirement where health and healthcare services are being provided.
EQA provides assurance to both staff and customers that testing provides accurate and reliable results.
Want to know more?
Visit our Importance of EQA page to learn more