MacConkey Agar, Blood Agar (Sheep), Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar, and Nutrient Agar. 2. Non-Exempt Media (High Failure Rate / Highly Selective)
To maximize the utility of the CLSI M22-A3 guidelines, clinical microbiology laboratories should implement the following daily practices:
Examine every shipment upon receipt for physical defects, including cracked plates, hemolysis, dehydration, freezing damage, bubbles, or contamination. clsi m22a3 pdf
Understanding CLSI M22-A3: The Standard for Quality Control of Microbiological Culture Media
During inspections by regulatory bodies such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Joint Commission, or local public health authorities, inspectors verify that a laboratory's QC log matches the exact mandates laid out in the M22-A3 text. Having a verified digital copy ensures immediate access during an audit. Important Regulatory Evolution: Beyond M22-A3 MacConkey Agar, Blood Agar (Sheep), Eosin Methylene Blue
Ensures that fastidious or critical pathogens are not missed due to substandard or degraded culture media.
Obtain and file the Quality Control Certificate from the manufacturer for every lot number received. Ensure the certificate explicitly states compliance with CLSI M22-A3 standards. Step 3: Perform Testing on Non-Exempt Media Understanding CLSI M22-A3: The Standard for Quality Control
The standard, titled "Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media; Approved Standard—Third Edition," provides essential quality assurance procedures for both manufacturers and laboratory users. Core Content Overview
Labs that regularly need multiple CLSI standards can purchase an annual subscription. This gives access to the entire CLSI database, including M22-A3, as readable PDFs (non-downloadable but printable for lab use).