Monitoring the performance of mycobacteriology laboratories: a proposal for standardized indicators |
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| Authors: | K D McCarthy B Metchock A Kanphukiew P Monkongdee C Sinthuwattanawibool T Tasaneeyapan S Rienthong K Ngamlert L-O Srisuwanvilai J K Varma |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. kmccarthy3@cdc.gov |
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| Abstract: | SETTING: Thailand Tuberculosis (TB) Active Surveillance Network: Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Tak and Ubon-Ratchathani, Thailand. BACKGROUND: Mycobacteriology laboratories in resource-limited, high TB burden settings are expanding to perform conventional solid media culture and broth-based mycobacteriology culture. Indicators that measure how well a laboratory performs sputum microscopy have been developed and broadly implemented. Routine monitoring of sputum culture performance, however, is not as common. DESIGN: We implemented indicators for monitoring the quality of laboratory services in five province-level mycobacteriology culture facilities in Thailand. These indicators were derived from literature review, consultation with subject matter experts and our program experience. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that an international consensus document providing monitoring guidelines for mycobacteriology laboratories is urgently needed. |
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