At a glance
The VITAL-EQA program provides laboratories engaged in public health work an independent, biannual assessment of their analytical performance for serum vitamin A and other selected nutritional biomarkers.
Overview
The Vitamin A Laboratory – External Quality Assurance (VITAL-EQA) program is a standardization program designed to provide labs measuring nutritional markers in serum with an independent assessment of their analytical performance. The program assists labs in monitoring the degree of variability and bias in their assays. Information received from the program can be used to:
- Eliminate bias or precision problems in the assay system
- Confirm quality of analysis and increase the confidence level of the lab
Participation in VITAL-EQA is voluntary and free of charge. Results are not used for accreditation or certification.
Target participants
Laboratories engaged in public health work in low-resource settings.
Program goal
Maintain the quality of measurements for selected nutritional biomarkers through continuous laboratory participation over time.
Featured analytes
- Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A and D)
- Water-soluble vitamins (folate and vitamin B12)
- Iron-status indicators (ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor)
- Inflammation indicators (C-reactive protein)
Participant requirements
- Receive 3 serum samples during each spring and fall challenge
- Analyze samples over 2 days and return data to CDC
- Receive a summary report for each challenge showing the measurement imprecision and the percent difference compared to CDC routine methods approved by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments regulations.
About the program
CDC's Nutritional Biomarkers Branch established the VITAL-EQA program in 2003. The program provides laboratories engaged in public health work, in low-resource settings an independent assessment of their analytical performance.
VITAL-EQA is a free, voluntary, nonregulatory external quality assessment program. It does not provide assay certification or laboratory accreditation. The VITAL-EQA program uses pooled serum materials and objective quality goals based on biologic variation to assess method performance. Because of the small number of samples, the VITAL-EQA program cannot comprehensively assess method performance, and it does not provide an annual performance report. However, continuous participation over time can provide useful information on long-term method performance. Participants can use results to improve precision and method comparability across laboratories.
Along with other CDC programs, VITAL-EQA supports the CDC International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control program. The program is dedicated to ending micronutrient malnutrition worldwide.
Shipping and reporting schedule
Participating laboratories must be able to receive frozen samples packed in dry ice, retrieve samples from customs at the airport, and pay for any costs required by customs. Laboratories must also commit to completing sample analyses and providing results within 6 weeks of delivery.
How to enroll
For more information about enrolling in the program, please contact vitaminalab@cdc.gov. Eligibility is limited to laboratories conducting public health activities, and enrollment is at CDC's discretion. Eligible laboratories will receive an enrollment form to complete and return to CDC.