External quality assessment of laboratory performance in bacteriology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2011-2019.

Background: Since 2007, national public health laboratories in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have participated in a regional external quality assessment scheme in bacteriology to improve testing proficiency.

Aims: To assess laboratory performance in bacteriology in the EMR between 2011 and 2019 using the regional external quality assessment scheme.

Methods: We analysed the accuracy of participant-reported data in bacterial identification, Gram stain microscopy, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.