HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

Quality Assurance Programme Limited

In collaboration with

Public Health Laboratory Services Branch

Centre for Health Protection

External Quality Assessment Programme

in

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Susceptibility Testing

Survey materials

Reference material / well characterised isolates

No. of survey materials

Two lyophilized cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Frequency

Two times a year

Deadline for Return of Result

Two weeks after the dispatch of survey material

Quality Control of Survey Slides

Homogeneity Check

10% of the total no. of ampoules in each batch are randomly selected for homogeneity testing.?To pass the homogeneity test, all the PT items tested for homogeneity should have ST results 100% matching the expected sensitivity test results of the lyophilised GC culture being selected as PT sample. If no growth was found in one ampoule, the intended ST results are based on other ampoules. If more than two ampoules were found no growth during the homogeneity test, the whole batch will be discarded.

Stability Check

10% of the ampoules are arranged to be dispatched to Bacteriology Laboratory, PHLSB for stability checking.?If no growth was found in more than two ampoules, or the susceptibility categories obtained differs from that in the homogeneity testing, the survey samples will be recalled.

Test requested

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the organisms to a panel of antimicrobial agents

Request for replacement samples

Participants can request a replacement of survey materials by submitting a formal request. The request form can be downloaded at:

http://www.hkimlsqap.org/Information/Form/Specimen Replacement Form.pdf

Criteria for Performance Evaluation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Susceptibility Testing

Timely Reporting

Participants are required to report the results before the due dates. Late return of slides will not be scored.

Scoring of Result

Scoring is expressed as the number of correct results against the number of scored results. In general, participants' results will be scored according to the susceptibility categories submitted as follows:

 - One score will be allocated to each submitted result when it matches with the intended result.

 - Score will be deducted for discrepant result(s).

 - For results received after the deadline or if the result form was not returned, scoring will not be provided.

 - Where laboratories do not test the whole panel of antimicrobials indicated on the result   form, only the tested antimicrobials with results returned will be scored.

 - Susceptibility results on comparable antimicrobials which are predictive of each other (e.g. ceftriaxone and cefotaxime etc.) will be scored once only.

Preliminary Result

Intended results will be posted online 3 weeks after the dispatch of survey materials.

Survey Reports

Final report will be issued to the participants documenting the identities of samples dispatched, intended results, reported results, scores achieved against the antimicrobials used and the respective methods used for susceptibility tests. If there is a statistical difference in the performance for test methods used by each group of participants, this will be discussed. Late or nil return will be marked on the individual report of the participant. Year-end summaries of the total scores will be compiled and released.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will also be issued indicating the number of survey results returned timely.

Enquiry

Should there be any enquiry on the survey, participants are requested to contact HKIMLSQAP for assistance.

Appeal

Should there be any data discrepancy in the survey report or any disagreement with the performance evaluation; participant can appeal to the chairman of HKIMLSQAP for amendment and review.

Contact us:

(852) 2499 0015 [Phone]
(852) 2124 2798 [Fax]
info@hkimlsqap.org [Email]

The Chairman
Quality Assurance Programme Committee
Hong Kong Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences Quality Assurance Programme Ltd.

Flat 1711, 17/F, Block C, Bell House,
525 - 543 Nathan Road, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Last updated on 09 February 2014.