Internal quality assurance in diagnostic microbiology: A simple approach for insightful data

摘要: Given the importance of microbiology results on patient care, high quality standards are expected. Internal assurance (IQA) could mitigate limitations internal control, competency assessment and external assurance, adding a longitudinal insight, including pre- post-analytical steps. Here, we implemented an IQA program in our clinical facilities with blind resubmission routine samples during 22 months. One-hundred-and-twenty-one out 123 (98.4%) serological analyses 112 122 (91.8%) molecular were concordant. Among discordances biology analyses, 6 low positive that turned negative, likely due to stochastic repartition nucleic acids. Moreover, one identified retranscription error led us implement automated transmission from Applied Biosystems instruments laboratory information system (LIS). Regarding Gram stain microscopy, 560 745 (75.2%) compared parameters As many as 67 84 (79.8%) pairs culture similar, 16 sterile pairs, 27 having identical identification or description semi-quantification 24 only showing variations colonies. Seventeen had diverging Culture was twice done for member pairs. antibiotic susceptibility testing, major discrepancy observed 5 48 (10.4%). In conclusion, tests highly reproducible. Molecular diagnosis also revealed be robust except when amounts acids present sample close limits detection. Conventional less discrepancies reaching 39.5% microscopy. Similarly, testing prone discrepancies. This work ground reconsidering multiples aspects practices demonstrates complete other management procedures.