Externa!QualityAssuranee in leelandie
Clinical ChemistryLaboratorles
ELINOLAFSDOTIIR
At the present time there are just over 40
laboratorles in leelandoffering services inclinical
biochernistry. Around20 arehospitallaboratorles,
5 are private and the remaining are small
laboratorles in general health care centers. This
lirnitednumberoflaboratorlesmakes it
im
practical
to run local EQA services and over the years
leelandie laboratorles have participated in three
major EQA schemes. The first EQA scheme used
was Weilcome (later Murex), but Randox and
Labquality came later. A few laboratorles have
participated in lirnited schemes from other orga–
nisations.
In order to increase the awareness of EQA
within the laboratory community the leelandie
Society in Clinical Chernistry has in the last 10
years run a few local surveys. The frrst fewwere
directed towards better standardization of serum
lipids, especiallycholesterol.
In
1994and 1996 two
general chemistry surveys were organised to
emphasise the importance of harmonisation in
measurments of enzymes. Last November whole
blood samples were distributed to alllaboratorles
known tomeasure hemoglobin andperformdiffe-
10
rential cell counts and 37 laboratorles responded.
These surveys were carried out by the quality
control comrnittee of the leelandie Society and all
costs coveredby the society. Wedo acknowledge
kinddonations ofsamples both fromAdamUldall
at DEKS andRandox in Ireland.
The aim of these limited surveys has been to
stimulate discussions within the leelandie
laboratory community and increase awareness of
the practice and importance of EQA. A formal
National EQA cooperation has not yet materlali–
sed, but the number of laboratories joining
Labqualityhas been increasinggradually over the
last severalyears andNordiecooperation is steadily
growing.
EQA users meetings however are unknown to
most of the laboratory personnel as the distance
betweenReykjavikandHelsinki prevents frequent
travels. There is interest and scope within the
leelandieSocietyofClinicalChernistry to increase
theeducational effortand leelandieusersmeetings
where local results and local EQA issues are tack–
ledwill continue on there set course.
Klinisk Kemi
i
Norden
J,
1998
