RESUMO
A regional quality control program was established using simulated clinical specimens introduced into the routine workload of participating laboratories in such a way that they were not detected as quality control specimens. Comparison of performance between these specimens and lyophilized cultures showed that additional information was obtainable with the former. In particular, it was observed that common pathogens such as Escherichia coli are poorly identified in clinical material. The examination of urines was inferior to examination of other types of specimens. The implications of these findings for the practice of diagnostic bacteriology are discussed.
Assuntos
Laboratórios/normas , Microbiologia/normas , Canadá , Escherichia coli/isolamento & purificação , Fezes/microbiologia , Controle de Qualidade , Salmonella typhimurium/isolamento & purificação , Staphylococcus/isolamento & purificação , Streptococcus/isolamento & purificação , Urina/microbiologia , Yersinia/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Conventional proficiency testing programs in microbiology using recognizable materials yield limited information. To assess overall laboratory competence in the handling of routine clinical material, other methods are needed. This report describes the use of "blind," simulated clinical specimens in a regional quality control program. Details of the administration, including technics, costs, logistics, and limitations, are presented.