NQLM, Nordie Committee for External
QualityAssurance Programmes in
LaboratoryMedicine
a forum for communication and co-operation
NQLM consists of one or more representatives
from each of the organizers of externa! quality
assurance programmes in laboratory medicine in
the Nordie countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway and Sweden).
The aim of NQLM is to provide a forum for
exchangeof knowledge about quality relatedmatt–
ers - especially to externa! quality assurance pro–
gramme- arising mainly inNordie and European
countries. It can furthermore work as a task force
inmutually agreed topics of common interest ac–
cording to an agreed protocol.
NQLM appoint aconvenor among itsmembers
for a functioning period of two years.
NQLM has up till now been recognised by
NFKK (Nordisk Förening förKliniskKemi,Scan–
dinavian Society of Clinical Chemistry), by
EQALM (EuropeanComrnittee forEQAprogram–
mes in Laboratory Medicine) and byECLM (Eu–
ropean Confederation for Laboratory Medicine).
Examples oftopics which have been discussed
and part/y adopted in the work is:
l.
Organize the preparation of commonmaterials
with assigned reference method target values
to be used in externa! quality assurance sche–
mes (EQAS) inNordiecountries.This may lead
to creation of a laboratory network for provi–
ding target values.
2. Organize common EQA programmes in the
Nordie EQAS when preferable; the protein
survey (KKN 1993,5/4:6-8)beingoneexample,
a common methylmalonate
&
homocysteine
programme another.
3. Initiate standardizationmatters ofcommon inte–
rest in the Nordie countries as a result of the
6
outcome of the Nordie EQAS (e.g. enzyme
standardization, use of CRM 470 for protein
analyses).
4. Prepare of a list of Nordie nomenciature for
EQAS originating from international recom–
mendations.
5. Interprete theHelsinki declaration and rules for
good clinical practice regarding the use of pa–
tient samplesin EQAS.
6. Develop common strategies toward authorities
regarding requirements for safety (infectious
agents, dry ice for transport), packaging, mail–
ing ofEQAS samples, and for custom rules.
7.
Exchange information about available packing
material and mailing companies.
Currentmembers:
K.
Hellsing,Uppsala (S); E.
Olafsdottir, Reykjavik (IS); H. Steensland, Oslo
(N);
R.
Tenhunen,Helsinki (FIN);
A.
Uldall, Her–
lev (DK).
Current convener and secretariat:
RaimoTenhunen
Head, Laboratory Department
Helsinki University Central Hospital
P.O.
Box 360
00029 HUCH
Helsinki, Finland
Phone: +358 9 471 2566
Fax: +358 9 471 5655
E-mail:
This documentwas agreedupon inDecember 1993
and has been reformulated inMarch 1998.
Klinisk Kemi
i
Norden/, 1998
