SCORING GUIDE

Reviewer: Laupland, Rempel

Reference:

SECTION 1

Inclusion criteria (must have all of the following; check if present)

○ Multicentric

○ Examine at least one antimicrobial resistant organism

○ Laboratory based

○ Human

○ Ongoing

Context of study:

SECTION 2

Assessment of bias (must select one score for each bias)

1. Denominator data

0 Denominator data not reported or irrelevant

1 Used denominator data, but not optimal for stated objective

2 Optimal denominator data used for objective

2. Case definition

0 No case definition or inappropriate for objectives/design/reporting

1 Case definition used, but not clearly appropriate

2 Case definition matched to objectives/design/reporting

3. Complete ascertainment

0 Highly likely that cases that do not meet case definition may be included; cases that meet the case definition may have been missed or there was no systematic means of case ascertainment

1 Some cases that do not meet case definition may be included and some cases that meet the case definition may have been missed

2 All episodes fulfilling case definition included and nonrelevant cases excluded

4. Sampling bias

0 Arbitrary convenience or non-random sampling; not reported

1 Sample systematically derived from surveillance population, but at risk for bias in relation to time, space, and/or location

2 Either population-based or true random sample of surveillance population

5. Multiple counting

0 Duplicate isolates/episodes not removed or reported

1 Duplicate isolates/episodes removed, but unclear rationale or explicit criteria

2 All duplicate isolates/episodes removed with relevant and explicit criteria

6. Laboratory practices

0 Problems with nonstandardized testing; variable protocols; lacking quality control, testing rules; or not reported

1 Limitations in consistency, some problems with protocols, quality control

2 Central laboratory or all laboratories following identical protocol with clear criteria for testing rules, proficiency testing/quality control, and appropriate species level identification