Development of Programmes

UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation (BC) seeks to remain at the forefront in the provision of EQA services, be that in the services offered to participants or in the 'back office' systems which support the programme. Recent developments include:

Point of Care (Near Patient) Testing - Recently established programmes for D-Dimer testing and ROTEM/TEG programmes have been added to programmes for INR measurement for users of CoaguChek XS, XS Plus, XS Pro, Hemochron Junior Signature and i-Stat users, together with ACT measurement with the Hemochron device. More than 4,500 participants are now registered in the Point of Care Testing EQA programme.

Molecular Genetics - More than 40 surveys of samples for analysis in the Factor V Leiden/Molecular Genetics of Thrombophilia EQA Scheme have been distributed to over 140 participants. Over 20 surveys have been distributed to participants registered for the Molecular Genetics of Heritable Bleeding Disorders EQA programme.

Plasma Homocysteine Assay - More than 50 surveys have been distributed to participants registered in the Plasma Homocysteine Programme, now recognised as a full UK NEQAS programme. Supplementary excercises for measurement of direct oral anticoagulants, HIT, FVIII binding assays, and investigation of dysfibrinogenaemia have been carried out in 2014.