Competency testing in clinical microbiology

Abstract

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 mandate that clinical laboratories include competency assessment of testing personnel as part of their quality assurance activities. Most laboratory managers have little experience in designing and implementing competency assessment protocols, and they often must invest a significant amount of time and effort to meet the new regulatory requirement. This article describes a clinical microbiology laboratory's program for competency assessment. The program uses a team approach for evaluation; employees help determine when the testing will occur and select procedures and instrument-related activities from a test menu for each evaluation period. Depending on the area being evaluated, some evaluations involve direct observation, some wet testing, and some written testing. The program was designed to not only satisfy the new regulations but also provide the laboratory with a useful continuing education and training tool.