veterinary

What is the Program?

The Veterinary Laboratory Association Quality Assurance Program is an external quality control program specifically designed for veterinary laboratories. Its goal is to provide a confidential means by which a veterinary laboratory can compare its internal test results to those of other laboratories.

How does it work?

Samples are sent to participants four times per year, and participants analyze the samples and return their results within a two-week period. Data is pooled and statistically analyzed by the Atlantic Veterinary College, and a confidential, individualized report along with review articles are mailed back to the participants.

Quality testing materials are available in the areas of:

CHM1  CHEMISTRY
Format:	2 x 3 mL vials per quarter.
Testing:	Albumin, Alk Phos, Amylase, ALT, AST, Bile, Bilirubin, BUN, Calcium, Total CO2, Chloride, Cholesterol, CK (CPK), Creatinine, Fructosamine, Gamma GT, Glucose, LD (LDH), Lipase, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Total Protein, SDH, Sodium, Triglyceride, Uric Acid, Barium, Boron, Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Selenium.
CHM2  CHEMISTRY (lab animal)
Format:	1 x 3 mL vial per quarter in alternate quarters (May & Nov). Vial may contain rat, rabbit or guinea pig.  This option may be ordered in addition to CHM1 or as a separate item.
Testing:	Same as CHM1 - Chemistry.
HEM1  HEMATOLOGY (one vial program)
Format:	1 x 1.5 mL vial of whole blood from a dog or cat and 1 Wright-Geimsa stained slide per quarter.
Testing:	WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT/PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW and Platelets on the whole blood sample. Differential WBC, RBC morphology, and platelet estimate and morphology on the slide.
HEM2  HEMATOLOGY (two vial program)
Format:	2 x 1.5 mL vials of whole blood and 1 Wright-Geimsa stained slide per quarter. The second vial of whole blood will contain a species other than dog or cat. Vial may contain rabbit, guinea pig, monkey, rat, mouse or cow.
Testing:	Same as HEM1 - Hematology (one vial program).
ENDO  ENDOCRINOLOGY
Format:	1 x 2 mL vial per quarter.
Testing:	Total T4, Total T3, Free T4, Free T3, Cortisol, Canine TSH, Testosterone, Progesterone, and Estradiol.
TDMV  THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
Format:	1 x 2 mL vial per quarter.
Testing:	Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Digoxin, Tegretol, Primidone, and Theophylline.
SERO  SEROLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY
Format:	2 x 750 µL vials per quarter.
Testing:	FeLV-AG, FIP-AB, FIV-AB, Brucella canis-AB, Borrelia (Lyme disease)-AB, Ehrlichia canis-AB, Parvovirus-AB, Distemper-AB, Heartworm-AG, Toxoplasmosis-AB, ANA, Rheumatoid Factor. Not all tests are offered in each quarter. Two species are included per shipment.

BACT   BACTERIOLOGY (special shipping fees and permit requirements apply)
Format:	2 x 1 mL vials per alternate quarter (May & Nov).
Testing:	Culture and sensitivity.
PARA   PARASITOLOGY (special shipping fees apply)
Format:	2 x 2 mL formalin fixed vials per alternate quarter (May & Nov).
Testing:	Identification.
HIST   HISTOPATHOLOGY
Format:	1 case per quarter. Each case includes a prepared H & E slide and one unstained slide.
Testing:	Morphological interpretation.
URIN  URINALYSIS
Format:	1 kodachrome and 1 x 1 mL of lyophilized urine.
Testing:	Crystal, cellular, or cast identification on kodachrome.  Microscopic  identification (from the Kodachrome) will be limited to one ~ cell, crystal, or cast.  Macroscopic results on the lyophilized urine sample will include:  Specific gravity, pH, Protein, Glucose, Ketone, Bilirubin, Blood, and Urobilinogen.

---

Participants can choose from the options listed to customize a program to fit the individual needs of their laboratory.

Features

Quality Manufacturing

• Raw material consistency and quality guaranteed by an accredited academic veterinary laboratory.

• Professional packaging by ISO 9001 registered facility.

Results

• You can compare your confidential results to those of your peers in the veterinary field.

• Results are presented in an "easy to read" customized format. Reports use both graphical and numerical data.

Review Articles

• Reviews will be provided alongside results in reference to Hematology, Bacteriology, Parasitology, and Histopathology modules.

• Reviews written by academic specialists will discuss the reasoning behind their opinions.

Customer and Technical Services

Access to Customer and Technical Services Representatives will be provided through toll-free telephone, fax and E-mail.

For more information contact Stacie Hotham at 1-800-565-0265 (office), 207-227-0302 (mobile)
or via
E-mail: vqap@dclchem.com

VLA^® and Veterinary Laboratory Association Quality Assurance Program^® are registered service marks of the Veterinary Laboratory Association.