Why Use the Quality Control Scheme?

The Scheme is provided by the Health Protection Agency and draws on the wide and varied expertise within that organisation. It includes an expanding range of Quality Control reagents which are recommended for use as internal quality controls in laboratories.

The IQCs supplied by the Quality Control Scheme are:

• produced by people experienced in preparation and use of controls
• accompanied by details of performance in a range of commercial kits
• designed for inter-run comparison of performance
• supported by an advisory service on control performance drawing on QCRU expertise
• supplied in a form virtually identical to clinical specimens
• supplied in convenient aliquots (4mls or 1ml)
• given an 18 month shelf life under correct storage conditions
• in a range of QC reagents that is constantly reviewed and expanded
• priced highly competitively

Last reviewed: 19 August 2008