RIQAS Inter-Laboratory Group Report
RIQAS Inter-Laboratory Group Report
A unique group reporting facility is available allowing laboratory groups or chains to effectively monitor the performance of satellite sites.
All laboratories within a group will receive their RIQAS sample packs, analyse the samples, return results to RIQAS and receive their individual RIQAS reports as normal. In addition to this a separate group report will be sent to the group manager or supervisor allowing relative performance of all laboratories within the group to be assessed.
RIQAS EQA Reports
For each laboratory in the group, the interlaboratory group report displays the %Dev for the last 10 samples along with the RM%Dev. The %Dev for each laboratory is plotted on a user-friendly, colour coded chart for instant identification of poor performing labs.
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RIQAS End-of-Cycle Report
RIQAS End-of-Cycle reports are sent to all participants who receive the standard report. Therefore, participants who are enrolled in RIQAS Urinalysis, RIQAS Urine Toxicology and RIQAS Serology programmes will not receive an End-of-Cycle report.
The RIQAS End-of-Cycle report provides laboratories with a complete summary of their External Quality Assessment performance. Performance is also compared to that of the previous cycle providing an indication of progress and improvement over time. Data is presented in both written and graphical format allowing a visual assessment of overall performance.
The RIQAS End-of-Cycle report is split into 3 sub-sections. These sub-sections are designed to allow performance assessment at a glance.
RIQAS EQA Reports
RIQAS End-of-Cycle Report Features
The Parameter Cycle Summary section provides an overview of the results returned for each sample in the cycle. The text section summarises the laboratory’s result compared to the Mean for Comparison. Laboratory performance for the current cycle is also compared to that of the previous cycle. A variety of charts including Levey-Jennings, Target Score, % Deviation by sample and % Deviation by concentration are also presented allowing a visual assessment of laboratory performance over the cycle.
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The text section provides a summary of the laboratory’s results and statistics including Mean for Comparison, SDPA, %CV, Uncertainty, SDI, Target Score and % Deviation. An additional table comparing performance for the current cycle to the previous cycle is also provided.
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The laboratory’s performance is summarised in various charts including Levey-Jennings, Target Score, % Deviation by sample and % Deviation by Concentration.
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The absolute SDI summary report compares current performance for all parameters to the previous cycle and indicates whether performance is better or worse. Performance is compared to other RIQAS participants in your country and worldwide.
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A certificate of performance is provided listing all parameters, for which the laboratory achieved an acceptable level of performance (Average Absolute SDI <2). Although the End-of-Cycle Report is issued for all registered parameters, the certificate of performance will only be available for parameters where results for at least 50% of samples in the cycle have been returned.
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RIQAS Standard Report
There are a variety of RIQAS reports designed to enable quick and easy identification of any trends or test system issues. The standard quantitative report is provided in a user-friendly, one page per parameter format allowing a visual, at-a-glance assessment of performance. The standard quantitative report is split into several easy to interpret subsections each designed to save valuable laboratory time.
You can explore each of the report sections using the table below. Don’t forget, to enlarge the image, simply click on it.
RIQAS EQA Reports
RIQAS Reports Features
Performance data is presented in a simple one page format for each analyte. Each one page report comprises seven sub-reports providing a statistical and graphical representation of laboratory performance.
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The text section provides a statistical breakdown of results by all methods, your method and instrument group. The Mean, CV% and Uncertainty or Measurement is presented for each comparison group.
Your laboratory’s result is compared to the Mean for Comparison (usually the instrument group Mean). Also included are the RIQAS performance indicators; SDI, Target Score and %Deviation.
Acceptable performance criteria:
- SDI <2
- Target Score >50
- %Deviation
The defined acceptable limits default to the RIQAS TDPA values but may be based on CLIA, biological variation or country specific limits.
Performance goals based on Biological Variation are also stated within the text section for information purposes.
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The histogram chart provides an overview of how your laboratory’s result compares to the all method group, your method group and your instrument group. Your result is represented by a black triangle; the closer to the centre the better.
The chart is intended to provide a quick visualisation of performance compared to other method groups and can be used to identify any potential bias.
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The Levey-Jennings chart plots the last 20 SDI’s and is extremely useful for monitoring EQA performance over time, allowing quick and easy identification of any trends or bias. The chart is colour coded making interpretation simple and easy; results that fall in the white area are excellent and those in the red area unacceptable.
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The Target Score (TS) chart is a unique chart which displays your laboratory’s last 20 target scores delivering an instant, visual indication of performance. The TS chart is conveniently colour coded for even easier performance assessment, a TS >50 is acceptable. The TS is a numerical index relating your %Deviation from the mean to a Target Deviation for Performance Assessment (TDPA).
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The %Deviation by sample chart displays the %Deviation for the last 20 EQA samples enabling identification of trends and shifts in performance. Similar to the other charts on the RIQAS report, the %Deviation by sample chart is shaded to indicate the limit of acceptable performance. A black dot within the white section of the chart will represent results with a %Deviation within your acceptable limits of performance; a black dot within the red section of the chart will represent results with a %Deviation outside your acceptable limits of performance. %Deviations are not influenced by the performance of your peers, as seen with the standard deviation index (SDI) and therefore is a better indicator of individual performance.
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The %Deviation by concentration chart enables easy detection of possible concentration related biases. Unlike the other charts provided on the report, the %Deviation by concentration chart displays the concentration range of the previous 20 samples along the bottom of the chart.
Using this scale along with the percentage deviation, you are provided with a rapid assessment of your %Deviation in relation to the concentration of the:
• Current sample (represented by a square)
• Your 19 previous results (represented by circles)
This chart provides an easy interpretation of potential positive or negative biases at high or low concentrations, or whether a particular sample is a random outlier.
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The Multi Method Stat Section provides you with an easy way of assessing the performance of the other methods used to analyse the parameter. This is useful when your laboratory plans to change the analytical method used for the parameter.
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Located at the back of the standard quantitative report, our quick reference summary page details the performance for each registered parameter in the programme.
Within the performance column, RIQAS provides an effortless method of assessing the performance of each parameter within the sample distribution. When a red triangle appears next to the parameter, this indicates that all performance indicators (SDI, TS and %DEV) have exceeded the performance criteria.
The performance indicator limits for each parameter are exceeded when your result produces:
• An SDI greater than +/- 2 standard deviations.
• A Target Score less than 50 (only when Target Scoring is available)
• A %Deviation greater than your set acceptable limits of performance.
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A summary CSV file is available on request to all participating laboratories. The report provides a summary of all statistics, acceptable limits and performance indicators as a .csv file for each sample in the cycle.
A retrospective statistics summary is also available, four weeks after the final submission date for parameters where a result was not submitted on time.
RIQAS Parameters List
RIQAS is the largest international External Quality Assessment (EQA)/ Proficiency Testing (PT) scheme, there are currently more than 76,000 participants in 139 countries. World renowned for reducing the number of individual programmes required by even the most demanding laboratories, RIQAS covers 360 parameters across 36 flexible multi-parameter programmes. Effective consolidation in this way will not only deliver real cost savings but free up storage space and ultimately reduce the time spent preparing multiple samples at each survey.
RIQAS Parameter List
1-25-(OH)2-Vitamin D
17-OH-Progesterone
25-OH-Vitamin D
5-HIAA
α-1-Acid Glycoprotein
α-1-Antitrypsin
α-2-Macroglobulin
ABO Group
ACE
Acid Phosphatase (Prostatic)
Acid Phosphatase (Total)
ACR
ACTH
AFP
Albumin
Albumin/Microalbumin
Aldosterone
Alkaline Phosphatase
ALP
ALT
ALT (ALAT)
AMH
Amikacin
Ammonia
Amylase
Amylase (Pancreatic)
Amylase (Total)
Androstenedione
Anti Streptolysin O
Antibody Identification
Antibody Screen
Anti-CMV (Total)
Anti-CMV IgG
Anti-CMV IgM
Anti-EBNA IgG
Anti-EBV VCA IgG
Anti-EBV VCA IgM
Antigen Typing
Anti-HAV (Total)
Anti-HAV IgM
Anti-HBc
Anti-HBc IgM
Anti-HBe (Total)
Anti-HBs (Total)
Anti-HCV
Anti-HIV combined
Anti-HIV-1
Anti-HIV-2
Anti-HSV1 IgG
Anti-HSV1 IgM
Anti-HSV1/2 IgG
Anti-HSV1/2 IgM
Anti-HSV2 IgG
Anti-HSV2 IgM
Anti-HTLV combined
Anti-HTLV I
Anti-HTLV II
Anti-Measles IgG
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Anti-Mumps IgG
Anti-Rubella IgG
Anti-Rubella IgM
Anti-Tg
Antithrombin III
Anti-Toxoplasma IgG
Anti-Toxoplasma IgM
Anti-TPO
Anti-TSH Receptor (TRAb)
Anti-VZV IgG
Apolipoprotein A1
Apolipoprotein B
aPTT
AST
AST (ASAT)
β-2-Microglobulin
Benzoylegonine
Bicarbonate
Bile Acids
Bilirubin
Bilirubin (Direct)
Bilirubin (Total)
Blood
BNP
Buprenorphine
Ca++
CA125
CA15-3
CA19-9
Caffeine
Calcitonin
Calcium
Calcium (Ionised)
Calcium, Adjusted
Cannabinoids (THC)
Carbamazepine
Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb / HbCO)
CEA
Ceruloplasmin
Chloride
Cholesterol
Cholesterol (Total)
Cholinesterase
Ciclosporin
CK NAC
CK, Total
CK, total (CPK)
CK-MB (Activity)
CK-MB (Mass)
Cl-
CO2(Total)
Compatability (Cross-Match)
Complement C3
Complement C4
Conductivity
Copper
Cortisol
Cotinine
C-Peptide
C-Reactive Protein
Creatinine
CYFRA 21-1 (Cytokeratin 19 fragment)
D-3-Hydroxybutyrate
d-Amphetamine
D-dimer
Deoxyhaemoglobin (RHb / HHb)
DHEA (Unconjugated)
DHEA-S
Digoxin
Direct Bilirubin
d-Methamphetamine
Dopamine
EDDP
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
Epinephrine
ESR
Estriol
Ethanol
Ethosuximide
Everolimus
Factor II
Factor IX
Factor V
Factor VII
Factor VIII
Factor X
Factor XI
Factor XII
Ferritin
Fibrinogen
Folate
Free Morphine
free β-hCG
Fructosamine
FSH
Galactose
Gastrin
Gentamicin
GGT
GH
GLDH
Glucose
γGT
Haematocrit (HCT)
Haemoglobin (Hb)
Haemolysis
Haptoglobin
HbA1c
HBDH
HBsAg
hCG
HDL
HDL-Cholesterol
Homocysteine
hsCRP
Icteric
IgA
IgE
IGF-1
IgG
IgM
Inhibin A
Insulin
Interferon gamma (IFN-y)
Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α)
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)
Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
Interleukin-2 (IL-2)
Interleukin-4 (IL-4)
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Interleukin-8 (IL-8)
Iron
K+
Kappa Light Chain (Free)
Kappa Light Chain (Total)
Ketones
Lactate
Lambda Light Chain (Free)
Lambda Light Chain (Total)
LD (LDH)
LDH
LDL-Cholesterol
Leukocytes
LH
Lipaemic
Lipase
Lipoprotein (a)
Lithium
Lorazepam
LSD
Magnesium
MDMA
Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)
Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
Metanephrine
Methadone
Methaemoglobin (MetHb)
Methotrexate
Monocyte Chemottractant Protein-1 (MCP-1)
Myoglobin
Na+
NEFA
Nitrite
Non-HDL Cholesterol
Norepinephrine
Normetanephrine
Norpropoxyphene
Nortryptyline
NT proBNP
Oestradiol
Osmolality
Osteocalcin
Oxalate
Oxazepam
Oxygen Content (O2CT)
Oxygen Saturation (sO2 / Vol O2)
Oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb / HbO2)
P24
PAPP-A
Paracetamol
pCO2
pH
Phencyclidine
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Phosphate
Phosphate (Inorganic)
Plasma Renin Activity
Plasminogen
Plateletcrit (PCT)
Platelets (PLT)
PlGF
pO2
Potassium
Prealbumin (Transthyretin)
Primidone
Procalcitonin
Progesterone
Prolactin
Protein
Protein (Total)
Protein C
Protein S
PSA
PSA (Free)
PSA (Total)
PT (including INR)
PTH
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Renin (Direct Concentration)
Retinol Binding Protein
Rh(D)
Rheumatoid Factor
Salicylate
Salicylic Acid
Secobarbital
sFlt-1
sFlt-1/PlGF ratio
SHBG
Sirolimus
Sodium
Specific Gravity
Strain Identification
Syphilis
T3 (Free)
T3 (Total)
T4 (Free)
T4 (Total)
Tacrolimus
Testosterone (Free)
Testosterone (Total)
Theophylline
Thyroglobulin
TIBC
Tobramycin
Total Bilirubin
Total Haemoglobin
Total Haemoglobin (tHb)
Total hCG
Total White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
Transferrin
Triglycerides
Troponin I
Troponin T
Trypanosoma Cruzi Antibodies
TSH
TT
Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α)
UIBC
Unconjugated Oestriol
Urea
Uric Acid
Urobilinogen
Valproic Acid
Vancomycin
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Vitamin B12
VMA
CYFRA 21-1 External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS CYFRA 21-1 EQA programme is designed to cover the analysis of CYFRA 21-1 in clinical laboratories when monitoring the response to treatment of cancers such as non-small cell lung carcinoma, cervical, breast and bladder cancer.
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standard via RIQAS flexible scope
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9175 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 | |
Parameter
- CYFRA 21-1 (Cytokeratin 19 fragment)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
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Anti-TSH Receptor External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Anti-TSH Receptor EQA programme is designed to cover the analysis of Anti-TSH Receptor in clinical laboratories when thyroid dysfunction is suspected.
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standard via RIQAS flexible scope
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9174 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 | |
Parameter
- Anti-TSH Receptor (TRAb)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
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Immunosuppressant External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Immunosuppressant EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Immunosuppressants in clinical laboratories. Immunosuppressants are primarily used after transplant operations to prevent the host body from rejecting donor organs.
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standard via RIQAS flexible scope
- Lyophilised samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- LC/MS reference values provided enabling participants to compare results to an accurately assigned value
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9159 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 4 | |
Parameters
- Ciclosporin
- Everolimus
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
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Sweat Testing External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Sweat Testing EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Sweat Testing in clinical laboratories measuring the concentration of Chloride and Conductivity in sweat, used in the testing of Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
- Liquid ready-to-use samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standards via RIQAS flexible scope
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9173 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly | 2 | |
Parameter
- Chloride
- Conductivity
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
CSF External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Cerebrospinal Fluid EQA programme has been designed to monitor the performance of CSF in clinical laboratories where samples are tested to diagnose a range of medical disorders.
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standard via RIQAS flexible scope
- Liquid ready-to-use samples
- Monthly reporting
- Testing covers the full range of clinically relevant decision levels
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- 12 month subscription
- Cycle Starts – March 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9168 | 12 x 3ml | Monthly | 7 | |
Parameters
- Albumin
- Chloride
- Glucose
- IgG
- Lactate
- Protein (Total)
- Sodium
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.