Subscription

Service

The Nordic immunohistochemical Quality Control (NordiQC) quality assessment scheme provides fully comprehensive service consisting of

► Assessment of antigen stains on NordiQC multitissue block sections as indicated in Assessment method

► A general review of each assessment run on the website www.nordiqc.org including:

• photos of optimal and insufficient stains with explanations and hints for improvement

• recommendations for optimizing staining protocols

• examples of complete protocols for optimal staining of each epitope (based on different antibodies and systems, when appropriate)

► Individual e-mail information including

• assessment scores for each stain

• explanation of probable causes of insufficient (borderline or poor) stains

• recommendations for improvement

• e-mail alerts and information about new runs, website updates etc.

► Participant help line by e-mail (nordiqc@rn.dk)

► Free seminars for participants (intended annually in one of the Nordic countries).

► Workshops for participants (intended annually in one of the Nordic countries).

Schemes

The general scheme comprises three annual runs with about 18 different antigenic markers to be detected. The markers are selected to cover a spectrum of commonly used as well as selected special or new markers. Markers that show to give the highest proportion of insufficient results in a scheme will be included the following year.

The breast scheme comprises two annual runs with HER-2 immunohistochemistry, Estrogen receptor / Progesterone receptor (alternating), and one additional marker relevant for breast cancer in each run. HER-2 in situ hybridisation is optional.

Enrolment

All Nordic pathology laboratories performing immunohistochemistry are invited to participate in quality assessment of immunohistochemical stains. NordiQC also accepts a limited number of laboratories outside the Nordic countries.

Participants may enrol in the general scheme and/or the breast scheme as detailed in Participation.

To enrol for the first time, the laboratory must fill out the electronic form at www.nordiqc.org -> Participation -> New participant. Special arrangements (including sponsored participation) must be indicated in the Comments field.

Participation is anonymous to all but the NordiQC staff. The laboratories enrolled are given a unique three digit identification number, which is used for all assessments. All participating laboratories are registered in a password protected database. On the website, the laboratories have direct access to all their own participant data and are solely responsible for keeping names, e-mail addresses etc. up-to-date.

After enrolment, by submitting protocols for one or more markers, the laboratory automatically participates in the scheme for the rest of the year. After the first year of participation, all participation is on an annual basis, i.e., the participants must pay the full fee even if the abstain from participating in a run.

As of 1 January, all participants are getting an e-mail alert inviting to continue participation in the following year.

If a laboratory neither submits protocols in two consecutive runs nor contacts NordiQC, the laboratory will automatically be eliminated from further participation in NordiQC.

Subscription rates 2008

For the General module (three runs), the 2008 annual subscription charge is DKK 6,400 (€ 858) for one  laboratory.

For new participants attending later than 1 January, the fee for two runs is DKK 4,600 (about € 617), and for one run DKK 2,700 (about € 376). Laboratories that have enrolled previously can only continue participation on an annual basis (i.e., the fee is not reduced if a laboratory abstain from submitting protocols in a run).

For the Breast module (two runs: Her-2 in both, ER or PR and a third breast relevant marker), the 2008 annual subscription charge for both runs is DKK 1,900 (€ 255).

For new participants attending later than 1 January, the fee for the second run is DKK 1,100, about € 148. Participants not staining for HER-2 may substitute this with progesterone receptor or estrogen receptor (whichever is not included in the run in question). Participants doing HER-2 in situ hybridisation, may stain one of the HER-2 slides. If FISH is carried out, the result should be reported, while with CISH og SISH, the slide should be submitted.

Annual invoices are enclosed with the first set of slides circulated to the laboratories. Deadline for payment is indicated in the invoice. Only Danish currency is accepted. Fee is non-refundable.

As NordiQC is a non-profit organization, discount is not available. Laboratories with financial difficulties are encouraged to contact, e.g., a local vendor or distributor of antibodies for sponsorship.

If a laboratory is unable to stain for one or more antigens defined by NordiQC, the fee cannot be reduced.

If a laboratory neither pays the fee invoiced nor responds to a reminder, the laboratory will automatically be eliminated from further participation in NordiQC.

Banking details

Bank address:

Spar Nord Bank

Skelagervej 15

P.O.Box 162

DK-9100 Aalborg

For participants outside Denmark:

The payment should be forwarded to

SWIFT-BIC code: SPNODK22

IBAN number: DK 90 90 35 45 70 14 68 10

Mark the payment with your three digit participant number (NQC…)

and research account 88.38 NordiQC 4202HK.

For Danish participants:

Reg. no. 9035, account no. 45 70 14 68 10

Mark the payment with your three digit participant number (NQC…)

and research account 88.38 NordiQC 4202HK.

Cheques should be made payable to: NordiQC, Aalborg Hospital,
quoting the above invoice number and forward to the above address.

Region Nordjylland (Aalborg Hospital) SE number = VAT number = CVR no.: 29 19 09 41

Aalborg Hospital EAN number* (for invoices): 5798003281179

* EAN: European Article Numbering, the number is an electronic location number.
 

Contracts with Institute of Pathology, Laboratory for immunohistochemistry and development

Banking details

Bank address:

Spar Nord Bank

Skelagervej 15

P.O.Box 162

DK-9100 Aalborg

For contractors outside Denmark:

The payment should be forwarded to

SWIFT-BIC code: SPNODK22

IBAN number: DK 90 90 35 45 70 14 68 10

 

Mark the payment: research account 88.39 IHCU 4202HK.

For Danish contractors:

Reg. no. 9035, account no. 45 70 14 68 10

Mark the payment: research account 88.39 IHCU 4202HK.
 

Air waybills

Circulation of slides in worldwide parcels via air waybill, e.g. with FedEx or DHL, may be needed for some countries. The prize for sending the parcels will be added to the invoice.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships for NordiQC scientific projects from organisations, producers, vendors and distributors affiliated immunohistochemistry are welcome. Sponsorships support the scientific work but have no influence on the NordiQC methods, results or conclusions.

The annual sponsorship fee is DKK 12,000 (€ 1610). Sponsors may have their logo or advertisement placed on the frontpage (max 120 x max 32 pixels) with link to their own website.

Sponsorship including participation for one laboratory (general module and breast module) is DKK 18,000 (€2415) annually.

Payment for sponsorships should be forwarded to account in Spar Nord Bank (see address above):

For sponsors outside Denmark:

SWIFT-BIC code: SPNODK22

IBAN number: DK 90 90 35 45 70 14 68 10

Mark the payment: research account 59.05 NordiQC 4202HK.

For Danish sponsors:

Reg. no. 9035, account no. 45 70 14 68 10

Mark the payment: research account 59.05 NordiQC 4202HK.

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The aim, policy, and methods of NordiQC are described in Organization.

Important dates and the epitopes are indicated in Participation.

Enrolment, participant data, protocol form are accessed via Participation.