TABLE 21.

Roles and responsibilities for postanalytical processes

Activity(ies)	Role(s) and/or responsibility(ies)
	Institution	Microbiology laboratory management	Microbiology staff
Systematic review of results	None	Establish who can review results and policy for release of results	Submit all pertinent QC results for test review
		Create procedure describing how to review content on test reports	Check results for problems
Identification and storage schemes	None	Establish a system to retain samples and isolates for short- and long-term needs	Log and save all samples or isolates per protocol
Retention requirements	Provide sufficient storage space and conditions to meet legal requirements	Establish retention policy to meet federal, state, local, and institutional requirements	Adhere to retention policy and follow retention protocol
		Train staff to understand the importance of following sample retention policy
Safe disposal of waste	Provide contract with waste management to meet the needs of the laboratory and fulfill legal requirements	Establish waste disposal policies and procedures	Follow waste removal protocol
		Ensure that high-risk waste is safe to remove