Analytical Quality (C-AQ)

Membership

Mission statement

To promote the education and training of laboratory professionals on international standards and practices of analytical quality in clinical laboratories.

Terms of reference

1. To provide education and training on the various aspects of analytical quality in the clinical laboratory which include:

• Concepts for methods and instrument validation
• Traceability concepts
• Measurement uncertainty concepts
• Internal quality control procedures
• External quality assessment schemes / proficiency testing programs
• Pre-analytical & post-analytical concepts

2. To address the educational and training needs of emerging nations on analytical quality

3. Education and training will be provided in many ways including:

• Guidance documents and publications
• Online presentations
• workshops and seminars
• invited lectures
• consultation and advice

   4. To collaborate with other IFCC Committees or Working Groups to achieve these aims. 

Current projects

EQA set up consultation
If a country (or sub-Regional group) requests advice in assistance (in several languages) how to establish an EQA scheme, C-AQ can provide advice, educational materials and training, either from the Committee or by recommending appropriate experts/mentors.

Support of Visiting Lecture Program (VLP)
Supporting EMD in reviewing applications which include quality elements and providing or suggesting appropriate lecturers, often together with C-CLM, EMD and/or DQCML.

Web site as an educational resource
Developing the content of this C-AQ website to provide a convenient starting point to identify and access relevant educational resources on all aspects of analytical quality.

Develop resource documents on fundamentals for EQA/IQC
Reviewing, updating and extending previous IFCC and C-AQ guidance documents to ensure their current and future relevance.

Directory of National EQA contacts
Maintain an updated list of appropriate EQA schemes and contact details for each country.

Provide content for distance-learning (e-learning) on analytical quality topics
Contributing quality-related materials and learning outcomes for inclusion into eAcademy.  

Past achievements 

Publications and Resources

Publications and resources produced by C-AQ and links to relevant sites are available here 

List of Corresponding Members, nominated by Full Member Societies

List of Corresponding Members, nominated by Corporate Members

Committee Chair's contact:

Dr. Annette Thomas

Director, Quality Laboratory, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

Unit 6, Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen

Cardiff CF14 5DU

E-mail: Annette.Thomas2@wales.nhs.uk