The Microbiology Quality Assurance Program is one of a number of Programs administered by RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Limited. The aim of the Program is to assess the reliability of methods used by subscribing laboratories and thereby promote a high standard of laboratory practice. The Program is available to all laboratories in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

A number of surveys are undertaken each year, comprising practical tests on sample organisms distributed by the Program. Responses are scored and compiled into a statistical database.

Participants are provided with their individual results, together with summaries of the collated results across all responding laboratories. End of year assessments allow individual laboratories comparisons with means calculated from laboratories replying to all surveys.

The Program offers laboratories flexibility in their choice of surveys and allows the selection of those surveys most appropriate to the range of microbiological testing being performed. Laboratories undertaking extensive bacteriological testing of specimens from multiple sites will find the Bacteriology Program provides a comprehensive range of proficiency testing.Laboratories providing a more limited or a specialised service are able to choose individual modules from the range available in the Bacteriology Program. 

Sub-programs cover Mycology, Parasitology, Molecular Diagnostics, Urine Dipstick Chemistry, STAT Microscopy, Pneumococcal Serotyping, Clostridium difficile laboratory detection, VRE screening and Microbiological Surveillance Culture for Endoscopes and Bronchoscopes.

Further information and/or enrolment forms may be obtained by completing our Feedback Form.