An external quality assessment scheme for trace elements in biological fluids

Abstract

The role for external quality assessment (EQA) schemes is illustrated by published results, which are probably inaccurate. The organisation and management of an EQA scheme for trace elements in biological fluids is described to show how the analytical performance of participating laboratories can be determined. The wider roles fulfilled by EQA schemes are discussed with examples of how the trace elements EQA scheme has been used to demonstrate the reliability of analytical data.