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    EQA4: Educational External Quality Assessment Schemes

    EQA4 combines quality assessment and learning. Online training, analysing the EQA sample and learning from the results form a comprehensive package that supports the continuous development of professional competence.

    Ask about EQA4 schemes

    What is EQA4?

    A traditional EQA round indicates whether the result is correct. EQA4 also helps the participant to understand the reasoning behind the result, identify sources of error, and develop their skills.

    EQA4 makes each external quality assessment round a learning opportunity. The participant starts by reviewing the factors affecting the conduct and reliability of the study, then analyses the EQA sample, and finally applies their expertise to a case study. Upon completing all the mandatory steps of the round, the participant receives a personal certificate.

    The service helps organisations to identify areas for improvement, harmonise operations and document the competence of the personnel. EQA4 suits laboratories, organisations responsible for point-of-care testing, and units that want to integrate quality assessment with staff onboarding, training, and competency documentation.

    Benefits of EQA4

    For the organisation
    • information on personnel skills and areas for development
    • support for onboarding and continuous training
    • more consistent operating practices
    • documented evidence of skills development
    For the participant
    • study-specific online training
    • opportunity to apply skills in practice
    • personalised feedback
    • certificate of course completion

    What is the difference between EQA4 and a standard EQA scheme?

    In addition to assessing the accuracy of the test result itself, EQA4 rounds help identify the competence needs underlying the result.

    A traditional EQA scheme EQA4 scheme
    Analysis of EQA sample Analysis of EQA sample and online training
    Reporting and evaluation of results Evaluation of the participant's knowledge application in addition to the results
    Organisation- or instrument-specific result Organisation- or instrument-specific result and personal feedback for the participant
    Quality assessment Quality assessment, training, and documentation of competence
    Round report Round report and personal certificate

     

    This is what happens in the EQA4 scheme

    Analysis of the EQA sample

    EQA4-process-EN-practice
    • Virtual slide images are analysed in the same way as patient samples.
    • Results are reported to LabScala.

    A short online training

    EQA4-process-EN-theory
    • A short video filmed by the scheme expert explains the findings that participants should have made from the virtual slide images and how the identified cells differ from other cells.
    • The training video is practically helpful for professionals at the beginning of their career.

    Applying the knowledge

    EQA4-process-EN-apply
    • The acquired knowledge can be put into practice in one's own work.

    EQA4 schemes

    Leucocyte differential count and evaluation of blood cell morphology, virtual microscopy and video summary

    The scheme includes 2–3 patient cases as virtual slide images or unstained blood smears and a new extended report, in which an expert reviews the key findings on video. 

    Product number: 4180

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    Are there other EQA schemes that you would like to see an educational aspect in? Tell us about them!

    Miia Kämppi
    Miia Kämppi
    Business Development Manager
    +358 40 648 2009

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