Bacteriology Proficiency Testing Program

Categories

The Bacteriology Proficiency Testing Program consists of four categories:

• General Bacteriology - This category is for laboratories that examine all types of clinical specimens for any aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing may also be performed.
• Restricted - This category is for laboratories that limit their testing to one or more of the following:
  • Urine Culture - for laboratories isolating and identifying bacteria from urine. Identification may range from gram stain reactions to full genus and species identification, as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Urine Screening - for laboratories performing diagnostic tests for the presence of bacteria in urine.
  • Throat Culture - for laboratories performing throat cultures for the presence of Group A Streptococcus only.
  • Antigen Detection - Group A Streptococcus - for laboratories that examine throat specimens for Group A Streptococcus using antigen detection techniques.
  • Gonorrhea and Chlamydia - for laboratories testing specimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Gram Stains - This category is for laboratories that prepare and examine Gram-stained smears for the presence of bacterial organisms.
• Other - This category is for laboratories with a restricted test menu such as those performing only specialized tests.