The list below includes the most common abbreviations, acronyms, and definitions used by GenQA.
Advisor
Expert advisor who provides indepth input into the design, delivery, and direction of an EQA. For more information go to https://genqa.org/work-with-us
Appeal
This is the process by which a laboratory/centre can ask for their provisional scores to be reviewed.
Assessor
Expert advisors in the relevant specialty (from participating laboratories/centres) whose role is to assess and score individual EQA submissions against set marking criteria. For information go to https://genqa.org/work-with-us
Case
An EQA may consist of a number of individual fictious cases/patients designed to mimic real life as closely as possible.
Catalogue
An annual catalogue listing all EQAs provided by GenQA is available as a searchable webpage and downloadable document at www.genqa.org/eqa.
Comments
Comments are agreed during the EQA marking process where possible improvements to the report or process are identified. Comments are educational and may or may not incur deductions.
Commercial invoice
Invoice accompanying sample shipment assigned a nominal fee (£1) for customs purposes but requiring no payment.
Critical error
A critical analytical or genotyping error is defined as a serious error resulting in reporting of an incorrect clinically significant result. A critical interpretation error is defined as an error which adversely affects patient management. A critical error automatically incurs a Poor Performance (excluding pilot EQAs) for the individual laboratory/centre for that EQA. For more information see https://genqa.org/performance-monitoring.
CSCQ
Swiss liasion body between EQA providers and FOPH, Federal Office of Public Health (Switzerland).
Deduction
Deductions are agreed during the EQA marking process where errors or omissions are identified in an EQA submission. The deductions are recorded in the laboratory/centre’s Individual Laboratory Report (ILR) for each EQA.
Distribution letter
This online document is specific to a single EQA or group of EQAs and includes all information and instructions regarding participation in the EQA. The EQA instructions are made available when an EQA opens in the form of the Distribution Letter.
Distributions
A group of EQAs which open on the same date. This may include EQA samples which are dispatched on the Distribution open date, or EQAs which include online data which becomes available on the Distribution open date. The dates for EQA distribution can be found at www.genqa.org/eqa
Documents
A list of relevant documents provided by GenQA for participants for an EQA e.g. Instructions, previous Summary report.
Enrolment
The process of enrolling in and/or purchasing an EQA or individual competency assessment.
EQA
"EQA (External Quality Assessment) is defined as a system for objectively checking the laboratory’s performance using an external agency or facility." WHO 2009. GenQA provides EQA across genomic disciplines see www.genqa.org/eqa. EQA is also known as Proficiency testing (PT). May also be called a Scheme or Programme.
A full list of our EQAs can be found at www.genqa.org/eqa
EQA close
The date the EQA closes and the deadline for participants to submit results.
EQA closing
This is the deadline for participants to submit results/reports for an EQA. Non-submission of results with no acceptable prior notification to GenQA may result in a Poor Performance designation.
EQA Instructions
This online document is specific to a single EQA or group of EQAs and includes all information and instructions regarding participation in the EQA. The EQA instructions are made available when an EQA opens in the form of the Distribution Letter.
EQA lead
GenQA individual(s) responsible for the design, delivery, and direction of an EQA. May also be called Programme Organiser, Programme Director.
EQA open
The date that EQA cases/information becomes available online to participants (and samples are dispatched, if appropriate).
EQA provider
An organisation offering external quality assessments e.g. GenQA or UK NEQAS. May also be known as a Proficiency Testing (PT) provider.
EQA year
The EQA year runs from April to the following March e.g. the 2022 season includes EQAs from 1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023.
Expert advisor
Experts in their respective fields who support and advise GenQA as Assessors, members of the relevant Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) and Scientific Advisory Board. For more information go to https://genqa.org/work-with-us
FOPH
The Federal Office of Public Health Switzerland (FOPH) Protects public health, develops Swiss health policy and ensures an efficient and affordable healthcare system.
All Swiss laboratories are required to participate in external quality assessment. Poor performing Swiss laboratories will be referred to FOPH.
Forms
Document to be completed by participants for data collection purposes e.g. variant classification form and data collection form, triplet repeat data, EQA submission form.
GenQA member
Any individual/laboratory/centre registered with GenQA, having access to the GenQA members area. Members must agree to the GenQA Terms and Conditions. Members are able to enrol in all GenQA EQAs or Individual Competency assessment. Members will also receive emails regarding GenQA activities.
For more information on becoming a GenQA member go to https://genqa.org/join.
GenQA members website
A secure website requiring individual logins to access purchase and participation in GenQA EQAs.
GenQA unique identifier
This is a unique number (Gxxxxx) provided to laboratories/centres at the point of registration with GenQA to maintain their anonymity. The unique number should be used in all correspondence with GenQA.
GenQA website user guide
The document providing instructions on how to use the GenQA members website.
Individual competency assessment
These are assessments provided for individuals to demonstrate their competency in performing certain tasks e.g. variant classification, sample reception, tissue macrodissection. For more information go to https://genqa.org/GTACT
Individual Laboratory or Centre Report
The Individual Laboratory/Centre Report (ILR/ICR) provides the scores, educational feedback and performnance status specific to the individual laboratory for each EQA. ILRs are designed to be stand alone, informative and easy to interpret.
Participants will receive two ILRs for all EQAs (excluding pilots). The scores in the provisional ILR are subject to appeal. The final ILR is published after the appeals process and SAG review is completed.
Investigation
An investigation into the reasons (root causes) of poor performance in order to prevent recurrence.
Ledger
A running balance sheet of your invoices/statements, for accounting purposes.
Marking
Process where EQA submissions are assessed and scored by a team of experts.
Marking criteria
A set of defined criteria for each EQA against which submissions are assessed and scored. These include general marking criteria as well as EQA specific criteria.
Member
Any individual/laboratory/centre registered with GenQA, having access to the GenQA members area. Members must agree to the GenQA Terms and Conditions. Members are able to enrol in all GenQA EQAs or Individual Competency assessment. Members will also receive emails regarding GenQA activities.
Members website
A secure website requiring individual logins to access purchase and participation in GenQA EQAs.
Methodology
Specific methods used for a technology e.g. NGS platform/kit.
Mixed EQA
A mixed EQA is an EQA that comprises both physical sample testing, and online cases.
Multi-option EQA
EQAs including optional enrolment for techniques/cases. EQA where there are options at enrolment e.g. sample type or additional cases.
Non-submission
Defined as a participant failing to submit results without acceptable prior notification to GenQA. Non-submission may lead to a Poor Performance status for the EQA. For more information go to https://genqa.org/performance-monitoring.
NQAAP
National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels (NQAAP) is the UK professional body recognised to have responsibility for ensuring consistent and uniform standards amongst reporting EQA Schemes.
Within the UK this is the discipline specific National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels (NQAAP) within the Royal College of Pathologists. The NQAAPs are accountable to the QAPC (Quality Assurance in Pathology Committee).
Online EQA
An Online EQA is an EQA that requires the laboratory to engage with the online, configured content in order to create a submission report, or complete form submission activities. Online configured content can include images, PDFs, text and constraints.
Optional participation
Participants choosing not to participate in all cases due to limitation of laboratory scope. Decisions are made once cases are released.
Order statement or website invoice
A statement listing the EQAs, including cost, for which a participant is enrolled in any EQA year, which can be accessed through the members website.
This includes information that will be on the official invoice. It is for information purposes only.
Orders
Provides details of your individual EQA orders.
Participant
Any laboratory/centre or individual which participates in a GenQA EQA or Individual competency assessment.
Performance
A measure of how a laboratory/centre performs in an EQA. Two performance categories are available: 1. Satisfactory performance; the standard a laboratory is expected to achieve. 2. Poor performance; where the standard is not achieved. For more information go to www.genqa.org/performance-monitoring.
Performance certificate
This live document is continuously updated with your laboratory/centre's EQA performance status as EQAs are completed during the year. It can be downloaded at any point by the Primary Contact.
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