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BACTERIOLOGY - D
D
Analytes/procedures in bold type are regulated for proficiency testing by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Procedure
Challenges per Shipment
Number of Shipments
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
1 graded, 1 ungraded
Three shipments per year
Bacterial antigen detection
2
Bacterial identification
5
Gram stain
1
Additional Information
Antigen detection challenges will be included in the following shipments:
Shipment A: C. difficile antigen/toxin* and spinal fluid meningitis panel
Shipment B: Spinal fluid meningitis panel and Group A Streptococcus
Shipment C: C. difficile antigen/toxin* and Group A Streptococcus
* CMS has clarified that the C. difficile toxin test is not subject to CLIA regulations; therefore, toxin results will not be sent to CMS. Only C. difficile antigen results will be sent.
Program Information
Five swab specimens with diluents in duplicate for culture
Culture sources may include wounds, blood, respiratory, urines, stools and anaerobes on a rotational basis.
Two specimens for bacterial antigen detection from the following:
One swab for Group A Streptococcus
One 1.0‑mL lyophilized specimen for spinal fluid meningitis testing
One 0.5‑mL lyophilized specimen for Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile, for use with rapid or molecular testing methods