Web-based Competency Assessment System for Microscopic Urinalysis

We used a computer-based competency assessment tool for Gram stain interpretation to assess the performance of 278 laboratory staff from 40 laboratories on 40 multiple-choice questions. We report test reliability, mean scores, median, item difficulty, discrimination, and analysis of the highest- and lowest-scoring questions. The questions were reliable (KR-20 coefficient, 0.80). Overall mean score was 88% (range, 63%-98%). When categorized by cell type, the means were host cells, 93%; other cells (eg, yeast), 92%; gram-positive, 90%; and gram-negative, 88%. When categorized by type of interpretation, the means were other (eg, underdecolorization), 92%; identify by structure (eg, bacterial morphologic features), 91%; and identify by name (eg, genus and species), 87%. Of the 6 highest-scoring questions (mean scores, > or = 99%) 5 were identify by structure and 1 was identify by name. Of the 6 lowest-scoring questions (mean scores, < 75%) 5 were gram-negative and 1 was host cells. By type of interpretation, 2 were identify by structure and 4 were identify by name. Computer-based Gram stain competency assessment examinations are reliable. Our analysis helps laboratories identify areas for continuing education in Gram stain interpretation and will direct future revisions of the tests.

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A 2-Year Study of Patient Safety Competency Assessment in 29 Clinical Laboratories

Reed

Kim

Farquharson

et al. 2008

Am J Clin Pathol

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Competency assessment is critical for laboratory operations and is mandated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. However, no previous reports describe methods for assessing competency in patient safety. We developed and implemented a Web-based tool to assess performance of 875 laboratory staff from 29 laboratories in patient safety. Question categories included workplace culture, categorizing error, prioritization of patient safety interventions, strength of specific interventions, and general patient safety concepts. The mean score was 85.0%, with individual scores ranging from 56% to 100% and scores by category from 81.3% to 88.6%. Of the most difficult questions (<72% correct), 6 were about intervention strength, 3 about categorizing error, 1 about workplace culture, and 1 about prioritization of interventions. Of the 13 questions about intervention strength, 6 (46%) were in the lowest quartile, suggesting that this may be a difficult topic for laboratory technologists. Computer-based competency assessments help laboratories identify topics for continuing education in patient safety.

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Web-based Competency Assessment System for Microscopic Urinalysis

Cited by 6 publications

References 2 publications

L’évaluation des compétences et l’habilitation en bactériologie clinique

L’évaluation des compétences et l’habilitation en bactériologie clinique

A 2-Year Study of Gram Stain Competency Assessment in 40 Clinical Laboratories

A 2-Year Study of Patient Safety Competency Assessment in 29 Clinical Laboratories

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