RIQAS – Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme

The World’s Largest External Quality Assessment Scheme
Uniquely connecting you with 45,000 laboratory participants across 32 flexible yet comprehensive programmes, RIQAS is the world’s largest external quality assessment (EQA) scheme. Access to maximised peer groups ensures availability of comparison data for a wide range of instruments and methods, ultimately increasing confidence in test system reliability. The added benefit of frequent analysis, user-friendly reports, multi-instrument reports and consolidated programmes makes a cost-effective, high quality EQA solution for any laboratory.
Benefits of RIQAS
Consolidation
Comprised of over 360 parameters in 32 comprehensive programmes, RIQAS streamlines EQA by significantly reducing the number of individual programmes required.
User-friendly reports
RIQAS presents reports in a simple one page per parameter format for at-a-glance performance assessment, including Levey-Jennings charts, Histograms, % Deviation charts, and more; providing a visual representation of laboratory performance, all within 24-72 hours of the submission deadline.
Frequency
Frequent analysis coupled with our rapid report turnaround will allow labs to pinpoint when an error occurred and implement any corrective actions necessary.
Flexibility
With 32 flexible EQA programmes available, RIQAS has something to suit every lab. Reduced parameter and report options ensures suitability for laboratories of every size and budget.
The ability to register up to 5 instruments per programme at no extra cost will ultimately save money facilitating comparative performance assessment.
Accreditation
Being part of a reputable External Quality Assessment scheme like RIQAS is highly encouraged by international and national regulatory bodies and will help your laboratory meet ISO 15189:2012 accreditation requirements:
“the laboratory shall participate in inter-laboratory comparisons such as those organised by external quality assessment schemes…”, “EQA should, as far as possible, cover the entire range of tests, and the entire examination process, from sample reception, preparation and analysis to interpretation and reporting.”
RIQAS systems and procedures are accredited to ISO 17043:2010 ‘Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing’ ensuring a high quality programme that is fit for purpose and will assist laboratories in meeting and maintaining ISO 15189:2012 standards.
In addition to ISO 17043:2010, RIQAS is recognised by the UK National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel (NQAAP) for Clinical Pathology and the Joint Working Group on Quality Assurance (JWG QA).
Learn More
To learn more or to get signed up, fill in the contact form below.
Randox Quality Control – More than EQA
Did you know that Randox is the company behind the RIQAS EQA scheme? RIQAS (Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme) is just one area of our comprehensive Quality Control portfolio. As such it is our resolution this New Year to introduce Randox as the brains behind RIQAS and show you that we are more than just an EQA provider by sharing our passion for laboratory QC.
Who are Randox Quality Control?
At Randox we believe in producing high quality material that can help streamline procedures, whilst saving time and money for laboratories of all sizes and budgets. With our extensive product offering comprising third party QC sera, interlaboratory data management software and calibration verification products, you can be sure that our complete QC solutions will provide you with a comprehensive overview of laboratory performance.
Seeing the complete picture with Randox QC
Acusera QC sera
As one of the largest manufacturers of true third party, commutable controls we deliver high quality, cost effective quality control solutions designed to accurately assess instrument performance and provide confidence in patient test results.
Acusera 24.7 interlaboratory data management
Acusera 24.7 enables you to drive for more accurate results by helping you to monitor and interpret QC data. With access to an impressive range of features, including the automatic calculation of Measurement Uncertainty, Total Error and Sigma Metrics, Acusera 24.7 ensures analytical quality.
RIQAS EQA Scheme
RIQAS is employed by more than 45,000 laboratory participants in 124 countries. With frequent reporting you will identify errors sooner ultimately reducing the need to carry out preventable, expensive retests on a large volume of patient samples.
Acusera Calibration Verification sera and software
The Acusera linearity sets cover a wide range of clinical testing including; cardiac markers, therapeutic drugs and proteins. Designed with convenience in mind, the range ultimately helps you to meet CLIA requirements for calibration verification and the assessment of linearity.
Randox QC Resources Hub
Beyond selling laboratory QC we are also passionate about education, offering a range of educational guides, seminars and webinars, with more to come throughout 2017. Check out our QC resources hub for our current educational material and let us know what educational material you would like to see.
For more information, or to request a visit from one of our QC Consultants, contact us via acusera@randox.com.
Demand for external support driving growth of EQA
“In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Quality Controls Market” recently published by Markets and Markets has highlighted an overall significant growth within the Quality Control Market. Further growth is anticipated in the coming years with the Markets and Markets report estimating that the IVD QC market will be worth $979 million.
One area that is currently experiencing growth within this sector is the EQA segment, which Markets and Markets estimates to command a 6.6% share of the overall IVD market. The report is crediting growth within this segment to you, the customer, stating “…various end users or customers of IVD quality control products mostly prefer external support to run their quality control activities. For this, market players are largely focusing on providing external quality assurance (EQA) support”. As such companies such as Randox are being approached to provide EQA for a range of small, independent laboratories and large laboratory chains alike.
What other factors have contributed to this growth?
The adoption of ISO15189 and other similar standards is becoming mandatory in many countries, as discussed in a previous blog post. Accreditation highlights the accuracy and reliability of the patient results being released. ISO15189 states that “The laboratory shall participate in interlaboratory comparisons such as those organised by external quality assessment or proficiency testing schemes”. Therefore laboratory managers are employing EQA programmes in their laboratory to meet such requirements. EQA also enables laboratories to meet other accreditation requirements such as peer comparison and clinically relevant testing.
Selecting the right EQA for you
When selecting the right EQA scheme for your laboratory there are a number of considerations to be made; sample frequency, peer group numbers, report format, report turnaround and so on. According to a survey conducted by Randox Quality Control 55% of respondents listed sample frequency as the most important feature to be considered when selecting an EQA scheme. Sample frequency is an ongoing debate regarding EQA. However, schemes with frequent reporting will allow you to easily pinpoint when an error occurred and implement corrective actions with minimal disruption. Also making the top three key factors in this survey were; quality samples and peer group numbers.
What can Randox Quality Control offer?
As the largest international EQA scheme available on the market RIQAS offers laboratories around the world assurance that the results they are releasing are accurate and reliable. With more than 40,000 participant in 124 countries and 32 flexible programmes we are certain that the external support we offer for your quality control activities will provide you with the upmost confidence in your laboratory’s performance. Furthermore with our programmes accepted by national and international accreditation bodies worldwide employing RIQAS can help you gain accredited status providing your end users with peace of mind. With other benefits such as programme consolidation, rapid report turnaround, easy to read at-a-glance reporting and the ability to register up to 5 instruments per programme at no extra cost why don’t you contact us today and find out how we can support your quality control activity?
To request a visit from a QC consultant contact us via acusera@randox.com
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.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9175 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | March | 1 | |
Parameter
- CYFRA 21-1 (Cytokeratin 19)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
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.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9174 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | March | 1 | |
Parameter
- Anti-TSH Receptor (TRAb)
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
Trace Elements in Urine External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Trace Elements in Urine EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Trace Elements in clinical laboratories. Used to detect and monitor a mineral deficiency or excess, these tests can sometimes evaluate nutritional status.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9171 | 12 x 3ml | Monthly | March | 11 | |
Parameters
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iodine
- Lead
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nickel
- Thallium
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Trace Elements in Serum External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Trace Elements in Serum EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Trace Elements in clinical laboratories. Used to detect and monitor a mineral deficiency or excess, these tests can sometimes evaluate nutritional status.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9170 | 12 x 3ml | Monthly | March | 10 | |
Parameters
- Aluminium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iodine
- Lead
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Selenium
- Zinc
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Trace Elements in Blood External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Trace Elements in Blood EQA programme has been designed to cover the analysis of Trace Elements in clinical laboratories. Used to detect and monitor a mineral deficiency or excess, these tests can sometimes evaluate nutritional status.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9172 | 12 x 3ml | Monthly | March | 7 | |
Parameters
- Copper
- Iodine
- Lead
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zinc
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
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.
- 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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9159 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly | March | 4 | |
Parameters
- Cyclosporin
- Everolimus
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Related Products
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
Not accredited to ISO/IEC 17043
Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Cycle Start | Parameters | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RQ9173 | 12 x 2ml | Monthly | March | 2 | |
Parameter
- Chloride
- Conductivity
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
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