1 – Scheme overview

The NFR EQA scheme is designed for the quantitative assessment of CBC analytes (complete count, leukocyte counts and reticulocytes) with peer-group between-laboratory comparisons.

The sample is a patient blood sample.

Scheme Limited to Metropolitan France outside Corsica.

2 – Assessment frequency

Number of investigations per year: 4
Number of control samples per investigation: 1
Number of samples per year: 4

3 – List of items assessed

CBC:

• White blood cells
• Red blood cells (Impedance, Optical)
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• MCV
• R-MFV (RBC-most frequent volume)
• MCH (Impedance, Optical)
• MCHC
• RDW
• Platelets (Impedance, Optical, Fluorecence and microscope)
• MPV
• Immatures platelet fraction (IPF)*

Leukocyte counts (analyzer, microscope):

• PMN (in % and absolute value)
• PME (in % and absolute value)
• PMB (in % and absolute value)
• Lymphocytes (in % and absolute value)
• Monocytes (in % and absolute value)

Reticulocytes:

• Reticulocytes (fluorescence, microscope; can be render in % and absolute value)
• Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF)*
• Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He)*

*analytes not covered by accreditation

4 – Description of the control samples

Fresh human control blood samples (ready-to-use samples). Sample taken after obtaining consent and sent the same day. To be delivered within 24 hours and processed upon receipt.

5 - Informations

Optional scheme AVAILABLE ONLY to labs registered for the NUM (complete cell count) EQA scheme.

For full reticulocyte count assessment, it is strongly advised to combine the NFR EQA scheme (CBC and reticulocytes in fresh blood) with normal values and the RETI EQA scheme (reticulocytes (stabilized blood)) with pathological values.