title: [Analysis of the results of the SEIMC External Quality Control Program. Year 2012].
abstract: The External Quality Control Program of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) include controls for bacteriology, serology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteria, virology and molecular microbiology. This article presents the most relevant conclusions and lessons from the 2012 controls. As a whole, the results obtained in 2012 confirm the excellent skill and good technical standards found in previous editions. However, erroneous results can be obtained in any laboratory and in clinically relevant determinations. Once again, the results of this program highlighted the need to implement both internal and external controls in order to assure the maximal quality of the microbiological tests.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, España. Electronic address: eruizdegopegui@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Enrique Ruiz
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: de Gopegui Bordes
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: M del Remedio
authors.initials: Mdel R
authors.lastname: Guna Serrano
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Nieves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Orta Mira
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC.
authors.forename: María Rosario
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ovies
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poveda
authors.affiliation: Programa de Control de Calidad Externo SEIMC; Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gimeno Cardona
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control
keywords: Clinical microbiology; Control externo de calidad; External quality control; Microbiología clínica