Mycobacteria culture
ACCREDITATION STATUS:
UKAS Accreditation in accordance with ISO 17043: 2023
CLINICAL APPLICATION:
Screening for mycobacterium infection. WHO estimates that over 4 000 people die every day from tuberculosis. It is essential that laboratories are able to isolate and identify mycobacterium tuberculosis and other rarer species that cause disease. Although rapid molecular methodologies are well developed and recommended, culture methods remain the reference standard for diagnosis.
PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:
To provide EQA for laboratories providing clinical diagnostic bacteriology services in the isolation and identification of Mycobacterium spp.
PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:
Results are entered online via the UK NEQAS secure website. The distribution is open for eight weeks. Intended results uploaded within three days after closing date. Late results are not accepted after intended results are uploaded.
DATA ANALYSIS:
Qualitative detection/ identification, concordance with the intended result. General descriptive statistics.
PERFORMANCE SCORING:
See scoring policy and Bacteriology and Mycology Specific Scoring
PERFORMANCE MONITORING:
PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:
See the Annual Directory for UK and Irish participants only
Microbiology
The first distribution of UK NEQAS for Microbiology was sent out by the then Public Health Laboratory Services on the 1st of May 1971 organised by Dr Peter Crone. This distribution consisted of one scheme, three bacteriology specimens, sent to 67 laboratories in the UK. One of our recent distributions consisted of 12 different schemes, comprising 8 bacteriology, 13 serology, 10 molecular and 9 mycology specimens, and sent to 53 countries representing over 1300 laboratories. UK NEQAS for Microbiology, operated by UK Health Security Agency, is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 4715. For the most up-to-date scheme information (including any pilot schemes) please contact the centre directly.
Contact Details
- UK NEQAS for Microbiology
- UK Health Security Agency
- PO Box 63003
- London
- NW9 5HT
Microbiology
- Telephone: +44 (0) 208 905 9890
- Fax: +44 (0) 208 205 1488
- Email: organiser@ukneqasmicro.org.uk
- Web: http://www.ukneqasmicro.org.uk/