Qualitative & quantitative assessment of ten Intermediate Reference Laboratories for quality of sputum smear microscopy based on RNTCP on-site evaluation

The paper reports the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the NTI OSE check- lists for the years 2005 and 2006 of ten state- level Intermediate Reference laboratories (IRLs) to establish effective supervision for quality of sputum smear microscopy. The assessment also indicates the effectiveness of NTI-OSEs. Quality related problems were identified, causes explored and solutions provided for establishing quality sputum microscopy network. NRL OSE reports, IRL OSE reports, RBRC records and action-taken-reports formed the material for assessment.