Questionnaire survey on the outsourcing of microbiological testing in the Kyushu–Okinawa and Kinki regions

Abstract

Although many hospitals in Japan outsource microbiological testing, there is a possibility that test results are not fully utilized in facilities without infectious disease specialists or microbiology technicians. We conducted a questionnaire survey on facilities outsourcing microbiological testing via e-mail in the Kyushu–Okinawa and Kinki regions from April to September 2021. We received responses from 77 facilities in eight prefectures in the Kyushu–Okinawa region and 51 facilities in six prefectures in the Kinki region. Eighty-three percent of the facilities had less than 200 beds, 16% had 200–499 beds, and 1% had more than 900 beds. The percentages of the facilities that obtained additional reimbursement for infection prevention 1 and 2 were 15% and 67%, respectively, and 18% did not obtain additional reimbursement. In about 60% of the facilities，there was no or almost no periodic review of the outsourcing contract, indicating that the contract was not reviewed once it was signed. Quality control of specimens was conducted in only 30% of hospitals and outsourcing companies. About 50% of the facilities did not mention quality control in their reports, and about 50% of the facilities made comprehensive comments or some comments on drug-resistant bacteria. About 30% of the facilities agreed not to perform susceptibility testing for normal bacterial flora, and many facilities left it to the outsourcing company. Through this questionnaire, we could see the problems and difficult issues encountered in both the outsourcing companies and requesting hospitals. In the future, it will be necessary to review and supervise outsourcing contracts by utilizing the regional collaboration system on infectious diseases.