EQUAL - Multi-National External Quality Assay (EQA) programmes in Clinical Molecular Diagnostics based on Performance and Interpretation of PCR assay methods including dissemination and training (Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health) (2004-01-01 - 2005-12-31)(»add to infobox)
ACRONYM:
EQUAL
BUDGET:
746.000 €
FUNDING:
739.000 €
INSTRUMENT:
Specific Support Action
PROGRAMME:
Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
Molecular Diagnostics are available for Clinical Chemistry and Medical Genetic laboratories and international regulatory organisms have already developed guidelines, recommendations and External quality assurance (EQA) programmes to safeguard their quality. But up today EQA programs for specific DNA targets remain limited to a few tests. Moreover these regulatory organisms are concerned about the possibility to keep up with new EQA programmes addressed to the expected growth rate of new diagnostic tests. EQA programmes directed to the evaluation of the analytical aspects common to the majority of the molecular diagnostics can be proposed and these methodological EQA programmes may be valuable with the existing EQA programmes or in absence of them. The Partners of the Project, Coordinators of EQA programmes of molecular diagnostics already implemented at national or international level, propose a panel of'EQA programmes on Performance and Interpretation of PCR based assay methods. These methodological EQA programmes will be available to laboratories performing Molecular Diagnostics on a voluntary basis for monitoring performances of technical procedures common to most of these methods. Specifically developed questionnaires and procedures of data analysis will be implemented for monitoring efficacy and appreciation of these EQA programmes. Diffusion of these EQA programmes to other countries will be supported through international organisms of the area of Laboratory Medicine, such as EC4. Finally specific training courses will be organised by the partners for the participants of this survey in order to improve both technical and interpretation skills required for the correct use of these molecular diagnostic tests. It is expected that integration between EQA programmes addressed to methodological aspects and to specific analytes, with appropriate international training activities will improve the quality of molecular diagnostics.'
