External Quality Assurance | North Bristol NHS Trust

For Genetics EQA please see the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub website SWGLH Quality | North Bristol NHS Trust

All departments within Severn Pathology participate within External Quality Assurance Schemes where possible. Where external quality assurance schemes are not available, the laboratories will explore alternative mechanisms such as Internal Quality Assessment or Inter-Laboratory Exchange with other diagnostic laboratories.

N.B. All scores are confidential to the participating organisation. However, we will inform our users should we receive a letter of poor performance in any particular scheme.

Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UKNEQAS Antibiotics	Amikacin, Teicoplanin, Tobramycin
UKNEQAS Antifungals	Itraconazole, Posaconazole, Voriconazole, Flucytosine, Isavuconazole
INSTAND Group 198 (Antifungals/Chloramphenicol)	Posaconazole, Voriconazole, Fluconazole, Flucytosine, Chloramphenicol
Instand Group 890 (Antibacterials 02)	Meropenem, Linezoid
SKML (Snti-Tb Drugs)	Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Acetyl-Isoniazid (Isoniazid metabolite), Rifampicin, Rifabutin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Linezolid, Bedaquiline
SKML (Antibiotic Drugs II	Piperacillin, Ciprofloxacin, Flucloxacillin, Sulphamethoxazole (Co-Trimoxazole), Trimethoprim (Co-Trimoxazole)
SKML (Antiviral Drugs)	Aciclovir, Ganciclovir

Bacteriology

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UK NEQAS	AAFB microscopy Antifungal susceptibility Antimicrobial susceptibility BHS B screening C. difficile toxin Carbapenemase-producing organisms Faecal parasites General bacteriology Genital pathogens MRSA screening Mycobacterium culture Mycobacterium molecular Mycology ID Urinary antigens
Aurevia	Blood cultures Gram stain Helicobacter pylori faecal antigen detection Multi-drug resistant GNBs Urine cell count Urine culture VRE Screening
BMS EQA	Gram stain - vaginitis Cerebrospinal fluid
QCMD	MALDI CNS1 - Viral CNS2 - Bacterial Gastro - Viral Gastro - Bacterial Gastro - Parasites

Mycology Reference Laboratory

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UKNEQAS Microbiology	Fungal Biomarkers, Cryptococcal antigen, Beta glucan (trial)
UKNEQAS Immunology	Fungal & related antigens
Aurevia	Fungal culture & sens
QCMD	Candida DNA, Aspergillus DNA, PCP DNA

Virology

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UK NEQAS	Anti-HBs detection Blood borne viruses Blood donor screen CMV Detection CMV DNA quantification EBV detection EBV DNA quantification HBV DNA quantification HCV RNA detection Hepatitis A detection Hepatitis B serology Hepatitis C serology Hepatitis E detection HIV serology HIV POC HIV type 1 RNA quantification Measles & Mumps IgG serology Molecular detection of CT & NG Molecular detection of respiratory viruses Molecular detection of viruses in CSF Parvovirus B19 & Rubella serology Rubella IgG serology Syphilis serology Toxoplasma serology VZV serology
CSCQ	Lyme serology
Aurevia	Antistreptolysin serology Bordetella pertussis antibodies Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme) antibodies CMV antibodies (inc. avidity) Helicobacter pylori antibodies Hepatitis E antibodies Herpes Simplex 1 & 2 serology Parvovirus IgG & IgM antibodies Rubella IgG & IgM antibodies Measles IgG & IgM antibodies Trichomonas vaginalis detection Mycoplasma genitalium detection
QCMD	Adenovirus DNA Central nervous System (CNS) I (Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis) CMV DNA (whole blood) CMV Non-blood EBV DNA (whole blood) Enterovirus RNA Transplantation (CMV, EBV, HHV6, BK, B19, AdV) HBV DNA HCV Genotype HCV RNA HIV RNA Influenza haemagglutinin typing Measles & Mumps EQA Respiratory I Plus (Influenza A & B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2) Respiratory II (hMPV, Adeno, Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Enteroviruses, Parainfluenza viruses) Respiratory III (Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae) Sexually Transmitted Infections I (Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis) Sexually Transmitted Infections II (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, HSV)
Instand eV	Chlamydia serology (C. trachomatis serology) ASO serology (Streptococcal serology) Influenza typing

Clinical Biochemistry

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UKNEQAS - general Chemistry assays	Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea, urate, glucose. Lactate, calcium, adjusted calcium, phosphate, bilirubin, iron, transferrin, total protein, albumin, magnesium, AST, ALT, LD, CK, ALP, amylase, GGT, lipase, AFP (Tumour) Albumin, AMH, B12, Ca-125 .Ca15-3, Ca19-9, CEA, Bililrubin, Cholesterol Creatinine, CRP, Ferritin, Folate, Glucose, Haem pigments, HCG, Icterus, Lactate, Lipaemia, Lipase, Macroprolactin, Parathyroid hormone, PSA, SHBG, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Triglycerides, Urea, Vitamin D
UKNEQAS	Erythropoetin (EPO) General Immune Serology (TPO) Intrinsic Factor Antibodies (IFAB) Lipids Paracetamol, salicylate, ethanol & TDM Peptide hormones FSH, LH, Prolactin, macroprolactin, AMH Thyroid
UKNEQAS	Fluids (total protein, albumin, glucose, amylase, creatinine, urea, lactate, total cholesterol, triglyceride)
UKNEQAS	Urine Chemistry (electrolytes, osmolality, protein, calcium, albumin)
UKNEQAS	CSF Spectroscopy scheme
German Scheme RfB	Blood spot 17OH progesterone
ERNDIM	Acylcarnitines in Serum (carnitine) ACDB scheme (Acylcarnitine’s in dried blood spots, includes interpretation)
ERNDIM	DPT Scheme (Diagnosis Proficiency Testing)
ERNDIM	Special assays in urine (GTL)
ERNDIM	QLOU scheme (Qualitative Organic Acids in urine)
ERNDIM	Quantitative amino acids
ERNDIM	Quantitative methyl malonic acid (ORGS) (urine)
ERNDIM	Quantitative special serum assays (hydroxybutyrate, phytanate, VLCFA, pristanate, 7-dehydrocholesterol, free carnitine, NEFA )
ERNDIM	CN, PHE and TYR in dried blood spots
Centre for Disease Control (USA)	CDC DBS galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT)
UKNEQAS	Newborn screening includes following blood spot markers (TSH, IRT on the GSP)
UKNEQAS	Newborn screening for markers Phe, Tyr, C8 , C10, C8/10
UKNEQAS	Sickle Cell
LGC International Proficiency Scheme	Antipsychotics/SSRI/TCA Carboxyhaemoglobin Case studies for toxicology Ethanol (blood, urine, serum) Paracetamol Tacrolimus, Cyclosporin and Sirolimus Toxicology Serum Toxic Alcohols
UKNEQAS	Cholinesterase inhibitor and activity MSS Down's screening (First trimester) Trace metals (Chr, Co, Cu, Pb, Se, Zn)
RIQAS	Urine drugs of abuse
Equalis (Swedish)	Iohexol
Instand Ev	Gentomycin, Vancomicin

Immunology

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UK NEQAS	Anaemia Related Antibodies Scheme (previously general autoimmune serology)
UK NEQAS	Antibodies to Nuclear and Related Antigens
UK NEQAS	Bullous Dermatosis
UK NEQAS	Diabetic Markers
UK NEQAS	for Neutrophil Cytoplasmic and Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies
UK NEQAS	for PLA2R Antibodies
UK NEQAS	Liver Disease Antibodies Scheme (previously general autoimmune serology)
UK NEQAS	Myositis Antibodies
UK NEQAS	Paraneoplastic Antibodies
UK NEQAS	Phospholipid Antibodies
UK NEQAS	Rheumatoid Antibodies Scheme (previously general autoimmune serology)
UK NEQAS	Scleroderma Associated Antibodies
UK NEQAS	Thyroid Antibodies Scheme (previously general autoimmune serology)
UK NEQAS	Allergen Component Testing
UK NEQAS	Allergen Specific IgE
UK NEQAS	Fungal and Related Antigens
UK NEQAS	IgE
UK NEQAS	Tryptase
UK NEQAS	B2 Microglobulin
UK NEQAS	Cryoglobulin
UK NEQAS	CSF Beta 2 Transferrin
UK NEQAS	CSF IgG Oligoclonal Bands
UK NEQAS	C1 Esterase Inhibitor and Functional Complement Assays
UK NEQAS	IgG Subclasses
UK NEQAS	Monoclonal Protein Identification
UK NEQAS	Faecal Markers of Inflammation
UK NEQAS	Faecal Pancreatic Elastase
UK NEQAS	Specific Proteins
UK NEQAS	Immune Monitoring
UK NEQAS	Leukaemia Diagnosis Interpretation
UK NEQAS	Leukaemia Immunophenotyping
UK NEQAS	Measurable Residual Disease in Acute lymphoblastic Leukaemia
UK NEQAS	Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria
UK NEQAS	Measurable Residual Disease in Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (pilot)
UK NEQAS	Measurable Residual Disease in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (pilot)
UK NEQAS	CSF Immunophenotyping (pilot)
UK NEQAS	Interferon Gamma Release Assay
UK NEQAS	Scheme 1b HLA B27 Testing
UK NEQAS	Scheme 2b Flow Cytometry Crossmatching
UK NEQAS	Scheme 3 Antibody Specificity Analysis
UK NEQAS	Scheme 4A1 DNA HLA Typing at 1st Field Resolution
UK NEQAS	Scheme 6 HLA Antibody Detection
UK NEQAS	Scheme 7 HLA-related Pharmacogenetics
UK NEQAS	Scheme 8 HLA Genotyping for Coeliac and other HLA associated diseases
UK NEQAS	Educational Crossmatch Scheme
UK NEQAS	ABO Titration
WEQAS	Quantitative Faecal Hb

Cellular Pathology

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Tecnique - Tissue Diagnostics
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Tecnique - Specialist Techniques
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Mohs procedure
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Bone Marrow Trephine
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Renal biopsy
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Mega Block and slide H&E
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Frozen section H&E
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Direct Immunofluorescence
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique - Digital Pathology
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - General Pathology
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Breast Pathology (Hormonal Receptors – ER/PR)
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Breast HER2 IHC
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Breast HER2 ISH
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Lymphoid Pathology
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Alimentary Tract Pathology (Lynch Syndrome/HNPC)
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Gastric HER2 IHC
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Non-Small Cell Lung carcinoma (NSCLC) ALK IHC
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Non-Small Cell Lung carcinoma (NSCLC) PD-L1 IHC
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Mis-Match Repair Proteins
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Head and Neck HPV
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Head and Neck P16
UK NEQAS	UK NEQAS for Immunocytochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - Cytopathology
Inter-laboratory comparison	Immunohistochemistry and In-Situ Hybridisation - various
Inter-laboratory comparison	Immunohistochemistry various
Inter-laboratory comparison	In-Situ Hybridisation - various
LABQUALITY	Synovial Fluid Crystals
UK NEQAS	Diagnostic Cytology Cell Block
UK NEQAS	Diagnostic Cytology
UK NEQAS	Interpretive (Digital)
UK NEQAS	HPV
QCMD	HPV
Screening Quality Assurance Service	Gynaecological
Screening Quality Assurance Service	Technical

Haematology

Scheme Provider	Scheme
UK NEQAS	Full Blood Count
UK NEQAS	G6PD
UK NEQAS	Auto WBC Differential
UK NEQAS	Retic Count
UK NEQAS	Haemoglobinopathy
UK NEQAS	Sickle Screen
UK NEQAS	Cytochemistry, FE Stain
UK NEQAS	Blood Film Morphology/Parasitology
UK NEQAS	Manual WBC Differential
UK NEQAS	Rapid Malaria Antigen Test
UK NEQAS	nRBCc
UK NEQAS	Plasma Viscosity
UK NEQAS	Ferritin
UK NEQAS	Intrinsic Factor Antibodies
UK NEQAS	B12/Folate
UK NEQAS	HbA1c
UK NEQAS	INR/PT
UK NEQAS	APTT
UK NEQAS	Thrombin Time
UK NEQAS	Heparin Dosage Assessment
UK NEQAS	Heparin Assay
UK NEQAS	Fibrinogen
UK NEQAS	D-Dimer
UK NEQAS	Coagulation Factor Assays: VIII, IX II,V,VII,XI,XII,FXIII (Assay & Screen), VIII (Quantitative Inhibitor)
UK NEQAS	VWF RiCof VWF antigen
UK NEQAS	Antithrombin Activity
UK NEQAS	Protein C Activity
UK NEQAS	Free Protein S Antigen
UK NEQAS	Activated Protein C resistance
UK NEQAS	Lupus Antigoagulant
UK NEQAS	Blood Transfusion
UK NEQAS	BTLP (Blood Transfusion) (Grouping, Crossmatching, Antibody Investigation, DAG)
UK NEQAS	FMH (Blood Transfusion) Acid Elution
ECAT (Dutch EQA Scheme)	Anti-Xa tests

Friday 6 March 2026