Clinical Chemistry - Thistle QA

P.O. Box 131375, Bryanston, 2074
Ground Floor, Block 5
Bryanston Gate, 170 Curzon Road
Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
804 Flatrock, Buiten Street, Cape Town, 8001
PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS
CHEMISTRY – CYCLE 51
Expiry date: 2016-­‐11
www.thistle.co.za
Tel: +27 (011) 463 3260
Fax: +27 (011) 463 3036
Fax to Email: + 27 (0) 86-­‐557-­‐2232
e-­‐mail : service@thistle.co.za
PI-­‐009
Please check your kit upon arrival and call Thistle immediately if there are any problems with your kit
or samples. We will advise you on the correct protocol to follow.
Introduction:
Method questionnaires are available for all the international Thistle programmes. It is important to read and understand this
document. If you have any queries please contact Thistle QA immediately for assistance.
Method Questionnaire Instructions:
This is available on our website or on request from Thistle QA.
Method changes or new laboratories – take note of the information below:
The method questionnaire should be completed and a copy retained by you for your records. Ensure that you complete the
method questionnaire in full. Your details will help us to classify your results correctly and thus provide you with useful
statistical data.
The Method questionnaire consists of two separate documents:
i. A list of laboratory analysers and supplier names, each with a numeric code, in order for you to select a code for
each analyte. This document is called the Instrument and Suppliers list.
ii.
The method questionnaire, which indicates the method codes available for each parameter along with the standard
unit indicated
On the method questionnaire, for each parameter you run, please tick the method appropriate to your lab. State your
instrument code, reagent code, and the units that you use in your laboratory only if they are different to the standard units
indicated. If codes are not available for your assay, please state the details of your method clearly in the section at the end of
the questionnaire.
Characteristics:
Your pack contains lyophilised 5ml samples of human serum. The vials are labelled with a cycle and sample number.
Factors that could influence the testing of the sample
Important: Vials must be stored at 2-­‐8 °C
Do not shake the vial.
After reconstitution, it is stable for 2 days at 2 -­‐ 8 °C in the absence of bacterial contamination with the exception of the
parameters below.
Prostatic & Total Acid Phosphatase: The samples can be stabilised by adding 1 drop of acetic acid to 1ml of serum.
Bilirubin in the serum is light sensitive and it is recommended that the serum be stored in the dark before measurement.
NEFA is stable for 24 hours at 2 – 8°C following reconstitution.
Bacterial contamination of the reconstituted serum will cause reductions in the stability of many components.
Please treat as a routine patient sample
Preparation:
1. The samples are sealed under vacuum. Open each vial carefully, avoiding any loss of material and using a calibrated
pipette reconstitute with an accurately measured 5ml volume of freshly double distilled water at 20°C to 25°C.
2. Replace the rubber stopper and ensure that samples are completely dissolved by swirling gently, allow to stand at
room temperature for 60 minutes out of bright light before use. Do not shake the vial.
Thistle QA is a SANAS accredited organisation, No: PTS0001
Accredited to ISO 17043
Certificate available on request or at www.sanas.co.za Page 1 of 2

P.O. Box 131375, Bryanston, 2074
Ground Floor, Block 5
Bryanston Gate, 170 Curzon Road
Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
804 Flatrock, Buiten Street, Cape Town, 8001
www.thistle.co.za
Tel: +27 (011) 463 3260
Fax: +27 (011) 463 3036
Fax to Email: + 27 (0) 86-­‐557-­‐2232
e-­‐mail : service@thistle.co.za
PI-­‐009
Safety:
Warning: Potentially Biohazardous Material
The serum is human based. It has been source tested and found to be negative for HBsAg and antibodies to HIV and HCV. For
complete protection however, it is recommended that the serum be handled as carefully as patient samples. Dispose of used
samples as you would routine patient samples.
Return of Results:
Each of the samples has a number printed on the label. We recommend analysis dates as shown below. Please send your
results -­‐ at the latest -­‐ on the final cut-­‐off dates given below. If the recommended analysis date does not allow you to get
results to us on time, please analyse earlier. Use the correct dates for the sample numbers in the kit sent to your laboratory.
If in doubt, please contact Thistle immediately for assistance. Please note that no results will be accepted after the FINAL cut-­off
date.
Additional Notes:
Web site submission is available – please enter via web site using the user name and password given to you by Thistle QA.
EDI system users must work through their relevant QA Divisions to ensure that results are imported in due time.
The reports will be posted / e-­‐mailed within 7-­‐ 10 working days after the FINAL cut-­‐off date.
Collusion and/or falsification of EQA results are not good accreditation practice.
Return Dates for Results
CHEMISTRY
Sample No: Analysis Dates: Final Cut-­‐off Dates:
1 15 September 2014 22 September 2014
2 29 September 2014 06 October 2014
3 13 October 2014 20 October 2014
4 27 October 2014 03 November 2014
5 10 November 2014 17 November 2014
6 24 November 2014 01 December 2014
7 08 December 2014 15 December 2014
8 22 December 2014 29 December 2014
9 05 January 2015 12 January 2015
10 19 January 2015 26 January 2015
11 02 February 2015 09 February 2015
12 16 February 2015 23 February 2015
13 02 March 2015 09 March 2015
Thistle QA is a SANAS accredited organisation, No: PTS0001
Accredited to ISO 17043
Certificate available on request or at www.sanas.co.za Page 2 of 2