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accreditationFormal
recognition of the quality and competence of a laboratory’s activities in line
with international standards. |
antibiotic susceptibility test (AST)A
microbiological test that determines whether bacteria are susceptible or resistant
to an antibiotic. |
aseptic techniqueLaboratory
practices that prevent the contamination of equipment, growth media and the
workplace by unwanted microorganisms. |
biosafetyThe
measures taken to ensure that people and/or the environment are not
unintentionally exposed to potentially infectious agents or toxins. |
biosecurityThe
measures taken to ensure that people are not intentionally or unintentionally
exposed to hazardous organisms or toxins. |
calibrationA
process whereby the accuracy of a piece of equipment or an instrument is
compared with that of a known standard and adjusted, if necessary, to have the
same value(s). |
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)A
US-based organisation that promotes international laboratory standards and
guidelines for performing antibiotic susceptibility tests. |
continuing professional development (CPD)Maintaining
and further developing the knowledge and skills required for your role in the
workplace. |
controlA check
included in a laboratory test to confirm that the test works as expected. |
European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)A
Europe-based organisation that promotes international laboratory standards and
guidelines for performing antibiotic susceptibility tests. |
external quality assessment (EQA)A method
that allows testing conducted by a laboratory to be compared to that of a source
outside the laboratory, usually a reference laboratory. |
International Standards Organisation (ISO)An
international body that has developed international quality standards for
microbiological laboratories. |
PDCA wheelA
four-step model for the continuous improvement of laboratory processes. |
proficiency testing scheme (PTS)The
evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria by means
of interlaboratory comparisons. |
quality assurance (QA)A set of activities to monitor the overall testing process. It includes the handling, processing and analysis of samples. |
quality controls (QCs)The
monitoring of an individual test or process to ensure that quality requirements
are being met. |
quality indicators (QIs)Observations
such as statistics or data used to determine the performance of a process. |
quality management system (QMS)A set
of activities to develop, document and implement continual improvement of the
overall process through regular management reviews, as well as corrective and preventive
action. |
quality systems essentials (QSEs)Twelve
topics essential for quality management of public health and clinical
laboratories, as defined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). |
standard operating procedures (SOPs)A
document that details how routine laboratory processes and procedures should be performed. |