Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Examples of Quality Control in Microbiology

Labs

Clinical Microbiology Review 232

PARAMETER REQUIREMENT(S)

Autoclave

Balances

Biosafety cabinet

Centrifuges

CO 2 incubator

Gas pack

Microscopes

Temperatures

Thermometers

Instrument logs

Gram stain

Reagents

Spore test weekly (B. stearothermophilus).Must reach 121°C/15 psi.

Check for accuracy annually.

Check airflow annually.

Check rpm every 6 months.

Check CO 2 & temp daily.

Check for anaerobiosis with methylene blue strip each use (white = no O 2 , blue = O 2 ).

Clean & adjust 4 times/yr.

Daily checks of incubators, heating blocks, water baths, refrigerators, freezers.

Must be checked against reference thermometer from National Bureau of Standards.

Document routine function checks, preventive maintenance service. Maintain for life of instrument.

Control slide weekly (E. coli& S. aureus).

Most are tested each day of use with pos & neg controls.

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