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

Quality Assurance Programme in Medical Microbiology

Organism Identification

Survey materials: Three lyophilized pure or mixed cultures. Types of specimens and clinical diagnoses provided.
Tests requested: Identification of the organisms present in the pure cultures. Look for the potential pathogen(s) from the mixed cultures.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Survey materials: One lyophilized culture. Name of the organism and site of the specimen provided.
Tests requested: Incubate and grow the organism, and investigate the sensitivity to the listed antimicrobial agents.

Criteria of Performance Appraisal on Medical Microbiology

In each half-yearly survey exercise, four lyophilized tubes of microorganism will be sent to each participating laboratory. Three questions will be related to microorganism identification and one will be related to antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Survey data must be returned for statistical analysis before the due dates; otherwise, "Late Return" will be stated in the survey report.

Identification of microorganism should be done according to the specified type of specimen. Microorganism should be identified to species level if possible.

- Microorganism identified correctly to species level will be scored 2.
- Microorganism identified correctly to genus level only will be scored 0-2 depending on what organism is given.
 
  • Microorganism identified correctly to genus level without specified species (with sending to reference laboratory for further identification) will be scored 2.
  • Microorganism identified correctly to genus level without specified species (without sending to reference laboratory for further identification) will be scored 1.
  • Microorganism identified incorrectly to species level (with correct genus) but not affecting patient management will be scored 1.
  • Microorganism identified incorrectly to species level (with correct genus) which may affect patient management will be score 0.
- Microorganism identified incorrectly will be scored 0 or -1 depending on different result.
 
  • Unrelated microorganism identified (such as contaminant of non-sterile specimen) will be scored 0.
  • Unexpected pathogen, which may affect patient management, identified will be scored -1.
- Individual comments (such as satisfactory, pay attention, need improve or need immediate evaluation) will be given for each answer according to the score and specimen nature.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing:

For antimicrobial susceptibility test, method used for an individual organism should be stated on the result sheet. Correct result for each antibiotic will be scored 1 and incorrect result will be scored 0. Individual antibiotic which was not done by the laboratory will not be scored.

 

Remarks

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 13 November 2015.