Quality Control

In Microbiology & Serology

Presentation By: Submitted To:

Hajra Mustafa
Fatima Javed
Mam Shazia
Warda Faiz
Mehboob Saghir
MLT 3rd Year
Quality Control

It is designed to
 Detect
 Reduce
 Correct
The deficiencies in laboratory. This is done prior to the release of reports to
improve the quality of results.

Types Of Quality Control:

1. Internal QC
2. External QC
Phases of Quality Control

There are three main phases of Quality Control in laboratory;

1. Pre-analytical Phase
2. Analytical Phase
3. Post-analytical Phase
Pre-Analytical Phase

In pre-analytic phase of quality control, following steps should be followed to

maintain check & balance in microbiology and serology lab.

1. Specimen Collection
2. Specimen Transport
3. Criteria for Rejection of Specimen

Specimen Collection:
Samples should be collected appropriatly. Check for the patient’s name and
serial numbers.
Specimen Transport:
Specimen should be handed over carefully to respective laboratory. Technologist
should make sure that samples are labelled and sealed.

Criteria for Rejection of Specimen:

Following is the list of criteria to reject inappropriate specimens:
 Leaking Container
 Dried Samples
 Hemolysed Blood
 Wrong Tube
 Unlabelled Samples/Mismatched Samples
Analytical Phase
Processing Of Specimen:

1. Select the primary culture media for specimen.

2. Select the temperature and conditions for incubation.
3. Transfer specimen on a culture plate in a biosafety cabinet.

QC Of Culture Media:

4. Water used for the media should be free of Copper ions.

5. Media prepared should be free from excessive bubbles or pits.
6. Should be free of cracks, freezing and crystallization.
7. Should be checked at four points being at right angles to each other.
QC Of Culture Plate:

1. The wire is sterilized by holding it vertically in the flame of burner so that the
length of wire becomes red hot.
2. It is allowed to cool down before it touches any matetial suspected to be
having bacteria to avoid heat killing the oraganisms.
3. Essential to learn the skills of inoculating specimen.
4. Instrument for seeding media selected according to the nature of medium and
inoculum.
5. Platinum or nichrome wires of different guages are used.
QC of Stains and Reagents:

1. All stains and reagents must be clearly labelled, dated and stored correctly.
2. Should not be used beyond expiry date.
3. Smears should not be very thick.

Antimicrobial susceptibilty Testing:

4. Use appropriate control cultures.

5. Use cooled stains from time to time to maintain internal QC.
6. Space the antibiotic discs properly to avoid overlapping of inhibition zone.
QC Of Equipments:

1. Check waterbath level daily. Clean monthly and check temperature.

2. Discard chipped glassware. Ensure these are free of detergents.Do not store
sterile glassware for more than 3 weeks.
3. Centrifuge: Check revolution by tachometer. Wipe inner walls with antiseptic
solution weekly. Check brushes and bearings every 6 months.
4. Inspissator: Check temperatues daily. Clean after each batch of culture
media.
Aspectic Techniques:
5. Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling infectious
specimens.
6. Keep all specimens in racks in order to prevent accidental spillage.
7. Mop up the workbench clean with disinfectant at the start and end of work.
Post-Analytical Phase

1. Release of reports only to the authorized person.

2. Timely release of provisional and final reports.
3. A copy report should also be kept in lab.
4. All patients records should be maintained for at least 2 years and ideally for
10 years.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
5. Essential component of QC.
6. Provide staff with written instructions on how to perform test consistently
according to an accteptable standard.
7. Avoid short-cuts while performing tests.