J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  2001 Jun;23(1):79-85.

Annual Report on External Quality Assessment of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in Korea (2000)

• Kim EC
• Kang JO
• Kim M
• Kim MJ
• Kim SI
• Lee KW
• Lee DH
• Lee JH
• Lee NY
• Lee CK
• Shin CH
• Chang CH
• Choi HS

Abstract

Two trials of external quality assessment for clinical microbiology laboratory were performed in 2000. A total of ten specimens were distributed. Five specimens were distributed to 234 laboratories with 217 returns in Trial I and five specimens to 246 laboratories with 225 returns in Trial II. The percentages of fully correct identification of K. oxytoca, E. faecalis, Salmonella spp. Group D, P. vulgaris, S. aureus, S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae were 96.3%, 71.0%, 69.6%, 96.3%, 98.2%, 96.4%, 77.8%, 99.1%, 94.7%, and 98.7%, respectively. The acceptable percentages on disk-diffusion antibacterial susceptibility tests against cephalothin and cefotaxime of K. oxytoca (MB0001) were 94.8% and 64.4%, respectively. Those against ampicillin and vancomycin of E. faecalis (MB0002) were 97.1% and 61.8%, respectively. Those against cephalothin and gentamicin of P. vulgaris (MB0004) were 60.4% and 98.8%, respectively. Those against oxacillin and vancomycin of S. aureus (MB0005) were 81.8% and 59.4%, respectively. In Trial II, the acceptable percentages on disk diffusion test against S. aureus (MB0006) against oxacillin and vancomycin were 87.8% and 70.7%, respectively. Twenty-eight laboratories (15.7% of total 178) on Trial II, which showed less than lower limit against vancomycin, had reported the same result on Trial I. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing K. pneumoniae (MB0010) was used for the educational challenge on Trial II. The performance on the automated or Etest susceptibility was good in general, except on P. vulgaris (MB0004). In conclusion, vancomycin susceptibility by the disk-diffusion method needs the precise quality control and an appropriate method for the detection of ESBL should be added to the routine susceptibility procedures.

MeSH Terms

Ampicillin
beta-Lactamases
Cefotaxime
Cephalothin
Diffusion
Gentamicins
Korea*
Oxacillin
Pneumonia
Quality Control
Salmonella
Vancomycin
Ampicillin
Cefotaxime
Cephalothin
Gentamicins
Oxacillin
Vancomycin
beta-Lactamases