Fungal & Related Antigens EQA

Accreditation Status:

Date Scheme started:

1991

Clinical Applicability:

Diagnosis and monitoring of Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis and Type III hypersensitivity diseases including Aspergillus and Candida infections, Bird Fancier's and Farmer's Lung

Analytes:

Fungal Antibodies (SER/016)

Avian Antibodies (SER/017)

Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Pigeon Serum, Pigeon Feathers, Pigeon Droppings, Pigeon Mix, Budgerigar Serum, Budgerigar Feathers, Budgerigar Droppings, Budgerigar Mix, and Micropolyspora faeni

The sample analytes included will depend on their prevalence in the general population, therefore not all analytes may be covered during the year

Units for Reporting:

Qualitative and quantitative responses

Samples Distributed:

Liquid format. Normal and pathological human serum

Number of Distributions per year:

Number of Samples per Distribution:

Frequency of Distributions:

Every two months as outlined in the Distribution Schedule

Schedule of Analysis:

Data entry is via the web for the submission of results. Data analysis commences 21 days after sample dispatch. Late returns are accepted and will contribute to the laboratory's cumulative performance statistics.

Data Analysis:

Qualitative results are assessed by Misclassification Index Scoring in relation to a Designated Response.

Performance Scoring:

MI Scoring

Criteria of Performance:

Laboratory performance is classified in terms of OMIS derived from the qualitative responses for all analytes for which the laboratory is registered during a running analytical window of 6 Distributions (12 months).

The categories of performance are:

	Total MIS
Good	Zero
Adequate	1-2
Poor	>2

An OMIS of 2 or more for any one analyte will be classed as poor performance.

Persistent Poor Performance:

Defined as being in the Poor Performance category for two or more successive Distributions