1 – Program overview

This external quality assessment program evaluates the accuracy of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin assays.

Statistical reports are sent with supporting comments from the expert clinical biologists / program coordinators.

Several concentrations of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin are tested.

2 – Assessment frequency

Number of surveys per year: 6

Number of control samples per survey: 2 or 4

• 1 or 2 plasma samples with known levels of unfractionated heparin (UFH),
• 1 or 2 plasma samples with known levels of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).

Number of samples per year: 20

• 10 plasma samples with known levels of unfractionated heparin (UFH),
• 10 plasma samples with known levels of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).

3 – List of analytes assessed 

• Unfractionated heparin (UFH)
• Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)

4 – Description of the control samples

Lyophilised human control plasma (citrate) (samples to be resuspended in 1 mL of distilled water).