QUALITY CONTROL

TOCIT

pre-analytic

sample testing analytic

analytic

DRA

post-analytic

Before use, each thermometer must be checked against a reference thermometer from the

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

A common practice in clinical microbiology is to test all thermometers at

-20C, 2, 8, 37 and 56C

it must be established as an additional control measure

preventive maintenance

performed on equipment generally involves tasks such as oiling and cleaning, replacing filters, and recalibrating instruments

preventive maintenance

Records must be maintained for

2 years

The criteria for media quality control are established by the

Clinical and laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

are always tested by the manufacturer. The laboratory must obtain a statement of QC from the manufacturer for all media that the laboratory will not retest

commercial media

Plates should be free of moisture before use but should never show signs of drying around the edges

moisture

Plates should be free of contaminants

sterility

Petri dishes should not be cracked or broken

breakage

Blood-based plates should not show signs of hemolysis, and any other plate that deviates from the normal color should not be used

appearance

should be tested on each day of use with both positive and negative controls

reagents

should be performed and documented on all staining procedures at least daily

quality control

the ability of an individual to perform a task accurately and effectively

personnel competency

samples are given to laboratory scientists as unknowns for the purpose of identifying them

proficiency testing

All tests performed on patients must be subjected to proficiency testing

twice a year

These programs may teach theory or new techniques, present case studies, or simply provide training on new instrumentation

continuing education

When QC testing appears to have failed, it is usually the

stock culture rather than the test itself that has failed

All rules and procedures for QC should be available to employees at the workstation in written form in a

QC manual

must be reviewed, signed at least annually, and revised as needed by a supervisor

QC manual