External quality assurance in microbiology. The programme of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.
Since 1967 the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia has been providing an external quality assurance programme in microbiology. The number of participants has risen from 70 to 222, and the samples distributed for investigation have increased in quantity, now totalling 35-40 per annum, and in variety, so that most aspects of clinical microbiology are now touched on. In recent years clerical accuracy and the adequacy of reports have been examined. However, more emphasis is needed on the stability of the specimens (freeze-drying will be introduced soon), the assessment of a laboratory's general performance, the standardization of methods and the educational aspects of external quality control.
D000068:Accreditation; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control