Analysis of the results of the SEIMC External Quality Control Programme. Year 2018

• Published in: Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica Vol. 38 Suppl 1; pp. 53 - 60
• Main Authors: Bordes, Enrique Ruiz de Gopegui, Mira, Nieves Orta, Serrano, María Del Remedio Guna, Álvarez, Manuel Belda, Ovies, María Rosario, Poveda, Marta, Cardona, Concepción Gimeno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Microbiología clínica; Clinical microbiology; Control externo de calidad; External quality control
• ISSN: 1578-1852; 2529-993X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2020.02.009

This article provides an analysis of the results obtained in 2018 by the participants inscribed in the External Quality Control Programme of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), which includes controls for bacteriology, serology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteria, virology, molecular microbiology, and genotypic bacterial resistance. The results obtained in 2018 confirm the excellent skill and good technical standards found in the vast majority of Spanish clinical microbiology laboratories, as shown in previous editions. However, the programme again shows that erroneous results can be obtained in any laboratory and even in clinically relevant determinations. Once again, the results of this programme highlight the need to implement both internal and external controls, as in the SEIMC programme.