Mean cell volume measurement on Sysmex XE series instruments using the RPU-2100 diluent system: how external quality assessment works to provide more accurate MCV results and potentially benefit patient management

Survey material choices in haematology EQA: a confounding factor in automated counting performance assessment

“…The preparation of stabilised CBC assay material by the EQA provider requires technical skill, experience and the availability of good laboratory facilities but is a cost effective means to produce assay material for a large number of participating laboratories. Despite the lack of full commutability across all platforms, the levels of most of the analytes are within the control of the EQA organiser and allow the organiser to challenge participants at critical analyte concentrations, for example, at decision levels for platelet transfusion and can highlight state-of-the-art variability in other parameters ( 31 - 33 ). The same material is distributed to all platforms in a single survey and it is possible to associate the same clinical scenarios with the material and report these back to the participants for educational purposes.…”