Evaluation of the results of 30 national microbiology external quality control programs from 2012 to 2022

Introduction: Accurate laboratory results are critical in guiding patient treatment pathways, underscoring the necessity of implementing quality control programs to enhance laboratory services. This study evaluates the outcomes of 30 external quality control cycles in microbiology conducted in Iran over a decade (2013–2023). Data were retrieved from the website of the Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Scientists and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The findings indicate that over 95% of laboratories submitted responses, with more than 97% of submissions deemed valid. The highest and lowest rates of correct identification were observed for Escherichia coli in cycle 45 (92.5%) and Aeromonas hydrophila in cycle 22 (3.9%), respectively. The mean rates of correct, partially correct, and combined correct/partially correct identifications were 42.3%, 20.3%, and 62.7%, respectively. Of the 30 cycles evaluated, 9 focused on Gram-positive bacteria and 21 on Gram-negative bacteria. The mean correct identification rate for Gram-positive bacteria (59.3%) exceeded that for Gram-negative bacteria (34.1%), though no statistically significant difference was observed. The mean correct identification rate for acid-fast bacteria was 57.2%, raising significant concerns. Conclusion: The results of this study reveal an unfavorable landscape of laboratory diagnostic performance in this field, highlighting the need for prioritized attention in national planning and policy-making.