The Haematology QAP prepares test material in house and requires both blood and blood products. These may be sourced from the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (RCBTS), patient donors, spare patient samples. The Haematology QAP also uses unassayed commercial control material as program samples. Programs that use commercial comtrol material are listed below.
The Full Blood Count test material is purchased from R&D Systems and is supplied by Vital Diagnostics in Australia.
The Automated Differential and CD34+ test material is purchased from STREK Laboratories Inc and is supplied by Diagnostic Solutions in Australia.
The D-Dimer - Option 1 (fully quantitative) test material is from BIO-RAD.
The G6PD test material is purchased from Trinity Biotech and is supplied by Immuno Diagnostics in Australia.
All samples are stabilised material with an expiry date.
Blood or plasma that is donated for the preparation of Haematology QAP specimens has to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
All the samples for the Haemostasis, D-Dimer - Option 2 (semi quantitative / fully qualitative), Vitamin Assays, Special Haemostasis and Hb EPG programs are lyophilised samples and are prepared in house as per Haematology QAP Laboratory Methods.
All specimens for the year are despatched from the Haematology QAP monthly as per Despatch Dates listed in the enrolment information booklet sent out each year. Specimens should be stored appropriately if they cannot be tested immediately, in a 2-8oC fridge.
Homogeneity & Stability
The Haematology QAP performs homogeneity and stability testing on representative, randomly selected specimens to ensure their integrity before they are issued to participants.
FBC samples are tested at room temperature over the 14 day testing period to ensure stability of samples. All lyophilised material is tested at room temperature and at 37oC over an 8 day period to ensure stability prior to the despatch of a survey.
Transit samples, which are sent to two remote centres within Australia are also tested to ensure stability. This is performed with each survey despatch.
