Using the App

EQA Investigation Training

Premium tool. Open from /training-dashboard → EQA Investigation card (the dashboard uses the short label, without the "Training" suffix), or directly at /eqa-investigation-training.

UK NEQAS performance failures must be investigated and documented under ISO 15189:2022. This simulator drills the end-to-end process — from receiving the unsatisfactory report to closing the CAPA.

What it does

• Presents a simulated UK NEQAS performance report with a flagged result
• Asks you to apply the three-stage investigation: confirm the failure, identify root cause, plan corrective action
• Generates the NCAP / CAPA document based on your inputs
• Walks you through communication — who you tell internally, when you contact NEQAS, when you involve UKAS
• Simulates the re-verification sample cycle to close the loop

EQA failure types covered

• Single occurrence — one outlier in a generally-performing run
• Persistent poor performance — repeated outliers in the same scheme
• Systematic bias — consistent over/under-recovery suggesting calibration drift
• Comparator method discrepancy — your result is correct but disagrees with the peer group
• Scheme suspension — what to do when NEQAS suspends your participation

Root-cause analysis

The simulator uses the same RCA tools as the dedicated Root Cause Analysis Simulator:

• 5-whys — sequential cause chain
• Fishbone / Ishikawa — categorised by people, method, equipment, environment, materials, measurement
• Bowtie — combining cause analysis with consequence mitigation

You can pick any of the three and the simulator walks you through it.

Documentation produced

• NCAP (Non-Conformance and Action Plan) — short form for minor events
• CAPA report (Corrective and Preventive Action) — formal for repeat or significant events
• UKAS communication — if accreditation is affected
• Internal communication — section head, quality lead, line manager, lab director

Standards alignment

• ISO 15189:2022 clause 7.3.7 — EQA participation
• UK NEQAS Scheme Specific Operating Procedures (your scheme's current handbook)
• UKAS TPS 70 — pathology accreditation requirements
• MHRA for IVD-regulated devices that fail
• NHS England Pathology Quality Assurance framework

Bands and competency mapping

• Band 5 — recognise EQA failures, document, escalate
• Band 6 — lead the investigation, write the CAPA, communicate
• Band 7 — service-wide CAPA strategy, repeat-failure prevention, present at management review

Completed investigations are accepted as IBMS Specialist Portfolio (Quality Management section) evidence.

Pairs well with

• Root Cause Analysis Simulator — the underlying technique
• SOP Writing Simulator (article 43) — what often comes out of a CAPA
• UKAS Audit Training (article 44) — how external audit interacts with EQA

Common interview question themes

• "Walk me through how you would respond to a UK NEQAS unsatisfactory result"
• "What's the difference between a corrective and a preventive action?"
• "How do you close a CAPA — what evidence does UKAS expect?"
• "Tell me about a real EQA investigation you contributed to"