Quality assurance of sputum microscopy in DOTS programmes : Regional guidelines in countries in the Western Pacific
Regional guidelines in countries in the Western Pacific
Overview
Tuberculosis control by Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) has been introduced in many countries in the Western Pacific Region. DOTS is the proven, cost- effective strategy recommended by World Health Organization for countries with limited resources.
Laboratory diagnosis of active tuberculosis cases by sputum smear microscopy is a critical element of DOTS — to the extent that the quality of the tuberculosis laboratory service has a major influence on the success of the tuberculosis control programme. It follows that tuberculosis control will be most effective (and efficient) in countries that have a network of laboratories providing a reliable service within the framework of the National Tuberculosis Programme. Improvement of laboratory services throughout the Western Pacific Region is now a priority of the Stop Tuberculosis initiative.
Regardless of its purpose, a reliable laboratory service is one that is cost-efficient and provides results that are consistently accurate. These demands can be met only through commitment to quality assurance. A key component of quality assurance for tuberculosis microscopy services is External Quality Assessment – the process by which the performance of a routine diagnostic service is monitored by a more competent laboratory such as a reference laboratory.