The quality of microbiological diagnostics in Poland based onthe results of external laboratory quality control programmes

Abstract

<br><b>Introduction:</b> The article describes the results of the 29th edition of the Polish NationalExternal Quality Assessment Scheme in Microbiology POLMICRO created by the Centre ofQuality Control in Microbiology (CQCM).</br><br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the scheme is the evaluation of the reliability of the results of microbiologicaltests performed by Polish medical laboratories, which includes e.g. identification andassessment of antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial etiological agents of infections,together with the detection of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.</br><br><b>Materials and methods:</b> The assessment of external quality control programmes organised byCQCM is based on the analysis of the results of participants of the POLMICRO, POLMICRO/MIKOLOGIA and POLMICRO/SSE programmes in a full annual cycle.</br><br><b>Results:</b> In 2022, 96.00% of POLMICRO participants, as well as 99.22% of laboratories participatingin POLMICRO/SSE and all participants of POLMICRO/MIKOLOGIA, obtained positiveresults.</br><br><b>Conclusions:</b> The results of external quality control programmes conducted by CQCM showthat medical laboratories in Poland have been maintaining a high level of microbiologicaldiagnostics.</br>