Co-Oximetry EQA | RIQAS
Co-Oximetry EQA | RIQAS
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 lyophilised format, providing greater stability and ensuring clinically relevant levels.
- Lyophilised (January 2024)
- Monthly reporting
- 24 hour open-vial stability once reconstituted
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.Net
- Register up to five instruments per programme (volume permitting) at no extra cost for comparative performance assessment
- Cycle Starts – January 2025
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9177 * | 1 ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 7 | |
RQ9177/A ** | 1 ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 7 | |
Note to participants with multiple instruments on the CO-Oximetry Programme:
RQ9177 must be purchased for the first registered instrument and individual RQ9177/A kits purchased for each subsequently registered instrument.
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Parameters
- Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb / HbCO)
- Methaemoglobin (MetHb)
- Oxygen Content (O₂CT)
- Oxygen Saturation (sO₂ / Vol O₂)
- Oxyhaemoglobin (O₂Hb / HbO₂)
- Total Haemoglobin (tHb)
- Reduced / Deoxyhaemoglobin (RHb / HHb)
About CO-Oximetry EQA
Co-oximetry is a methodology, also known as spectrophotometry, 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.
Spectrophotometric methods date back to studies by Sir Isaac Newton in the 1600s. Work by Lambert (1760) and Beer (1852) resulted in the Beer-Lambert law which describes the transmission / absorption of light in solutions (Chatburn, 2014).
A high value for the Co-Oximetry Blood Test may indicate, among other things:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Congenital haemoglobin disorder
Related Products
ISO 22870- Are you meeting expectations?
Quality control has recently become crucial in the Point-of-Care (POC) field due to the introduction of ISO 22870 regulations and increased focus in patient safety. Quality control is critical in reducing turnaround time and saving money.
There is now an international standard specifically for POC testing, ISO 22870. This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with the standard for medical laboratories, ISO 15189. This means that aspects relating to Point-of-Care such as training, competence and documentation should be carefully planned, implemented and governed by a quality management system and there is a requirement for QC and EQA to be performed, where available.
POCT is typically carried out by non-laboratory staff, therefore when selecting the appropriate IQC material for POCT there are a number of key characteristics you must consider;
- Format of the material – QC material employed should be liquid stable, requiring no preparation, reducing the likelihood of human error and increasing convenience.
- Value assignment – all values must be accurately assigned. Look out for suppliers who use a large number of independent labs to determine the target value.
- Third party controls – manufactured independently from any specific instrument or method third party controls are designed to deliver unbiased performance assessment.
- Storage – for convenience controls should be liquid stable, as these can be easily stored in a fridge at 2oC – 8oC and won’t need to be shipped on dry ice.
- Stability – a control with a good open vial stability will mean that it can be used for longer with less waste produced, meaning it is more convenient for the medical professional to use.
- Transportation– the liquid stable controls can be conveniently stored at 2oC – 8oC reducing the need to ship on dry ice
- Minimal training– easy to use with little training required, therefore suitable for use by non-laboratory personnel
In addition to IQC, External Quality Assessment (EQA) must also be employed to ensure a comprehensive review of test system performance. It is best to select a programme that offers frequent reporting with a large database of users. This will enable rapid error identification and ultimately accurate and reliable patient testing.
Our Acusera liquid ready-to-use controls include:
- Blood Gas Control– A liquid stable control provided in easy to open ampoules for added convenience and ease-of-use. Assayed, method specific target values are provided for the most common blood gas instruments.
- Liquid Cardiac Control– This is a highly convenient liquid stable cardiac control offering excellent consistency. Assayed, instrument specific target values are provided for 8 cardiac markers, enabling flexibility and consolidation.
- Liquid Urinalysis Control– Liquid control that is compatible for use with both manual and automated methods of dipstick analysis. Available in convenient 12ml vials or 25ml dropper bottles with assayed ranges provided for 13 parameters covering the chemical examination of urine specimens.
- Liquid HbA1c Control– This is another highly convenient liquid ready-to-use control. With an open vial stability of 30 days, keeping waste and costs to a minimum.
Complementary EQA programmes are also available to meet the needs of ISO 22870.
Blood Gas External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Blood Gas programme is a comprehensive EQA programme suitable for monitoring the performance of 11 blood gas parameters. All samples are supplied in a liquid ready-to-use format ideal for both clinical and point-of-care testing (POCT).
- 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
- Cycles Start – January 2025
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9134 | 12 x 1.8ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 11 | |
RQ9134/A | 12 x 1.8ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 11 | |
Parameters
- Bicarbonate
- Ca++
- Glucose
- Lactate
- pCO2
- pO2
- Cl-
- K+
- Na+
- pH
- tCO2
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.