What is the Microbiology Assessment Checklist?

This resource provides a standardized method for taking inventory of personnel and available services, as well as assessing and scoring the performance of a clinical microbiology laboratory. It includes an inventory of personnel. The desired outcome is to provide a basis for assessment of stepwise laboratory improvement toward accreditation. The checklist may be used for laboratories that perform only bacteriology or those that also perform parasitology and/or mycology.   

Who benefits from participating in this program?

• Clinical laboratory technologists who wish to perform self-assessment on behalf of their laboratory section.
• ​Clinical laboratory managers with leadership roles. 
• Experienced and aspiring clinical laboratory mentors. 

How does the Checklist work?

The checklist is used for baseline assessment at the outset of mentoring, at the end of a mentoring visit and periodically thereafter to monitor progress toward readiness for accreditation. It should also be used by laboratory leaders for self-assessment purposes. 

The checklist combines the ISO 05189 standards with the CAP general and microbiology and the SANAS TG and TR standards. There are 6 sections assessing quality system essentials and 3 considering the technical aspects of clinical bacteriology, parasitology and mycology. The latter 2 are optional. 

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