The acceptable failure rate cutoff for exempting media was increased from 0.3% to 0.5% .
The full document is available in electronic PDF format from various official standards retailers. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. CLSI M22-A3 (R2018)
Focus on visual inspection and documentation of media upon receipt rather than full organism-based retesting for "exempt" media. clsi m22a3 pdf
The standard, titled "Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media; Approved Standard—Third Edition," provides a framework for both manufacturers and laboratory users to ensure the reliability of ready-to-use culture media. Published in 2004, it serves as a consensus-based guide for maintaining quality assurance in clinical microbiology. Key Purpose and Scope
Cracked petri dishes, unequal filling, or hemolysis in blood agars. The acceptable failure rate cutoff for exempting media
Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media
Quality Control for Commercially Prepared Microbiological Culture Media; Approved Standard, M22A3E, Published by CLSI, 2004-06-20 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. CLSI M22-A3-2004 (R2016) CLSI M22-A3 (R2018) Focus on visual inspection and
Excessive moisture, dehydration, or frozen/melted agar. Contamination: Any visible growth or excessive bubbles. Purchasing and Access
While certain media are exempt from full retesting, labs must still perform a for physical defects upon receipt of every shipment. The standard requires monitoring for:
The primary premise of M22-A3 is to reduce the burden of redundant testing. It identifies specific media of "proven reliability" for which users do not need to perform additional retesting if the manufacturer's quality control (QC) practices meet established criteria.
