1. Laboratory site quality control

2. Based on EHES Manual, Part B. Fieldwork procedures, 2nd edition, 2016
Available at:
These slides can be used freely, translated and adapted to national use (e.g. concerning the equipment and fieldwork organization).

3. Quality assurance of blood sample drawing and processing
Adequate training for laboratory personnel: theory and practice
Understanding the difference between clinical practice and survey fieldwork
Competence and commitment to follow protocols carefully
Laboratory manual available to the personnel
Checking the equipment
Auditing and supervision
Adherence to the protocol

4. Theoretical and practical training
Theory providing information about
Why it is important to take blood samples and how they will be used and stored for future use
Why blood sample drawing and processing need to be standardized
What implications differences in the protocol have to the measured glucose and lipid levels
Practice with several different persons with a wide age range
Supervision and feedback

5. Audit visits
Regular audit visits and observations to ensure that protocol is followed correctly
Adherence to the standard protocol evaluated

6. Recording deviations from the manual
If blood samples are not obtained, a reason for that should be recorded
All other deviations from the manual need to be recorded
These recordings should be evaluated by each person drawing and processing the blood samples

7. Data evaluation during the fieldwork
Data on blood samples should be checked regularly for
Missing tubes and recorded reasons for that
E.g. if some measurer has a lot of missing samples and refusals for the blood drawing, this may reveal that she/he is not properly introducing the blood samples for the participants

8. Acknowledgement
Slides prepared by: Laura Råman, Jouko Sundvall Experiences and feedback from the EHES network have been utilized in the preparation of these slides Funding: Preparation of the slides is part of the activities of the EHES Coordinating Centre which has received funding from the EC/DG SANTÉ in through SANCO/2008/C2/02-SI EHES and Grand Agreement number , and in through Grand Agreement number /BRIDGE Health

9. Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the authors and they do not represent the Commission’s official position.