TABLE 1.

Recommended guidelines for detecting and preventing reproducibility problems during C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae testing using the Abbott LCx

Guideline category and step	Description
Detection
1	Negative controls should be used, processed as samples on every run; sample rates of ≥100 are unacceptable
2	Utilize a modified equivocal range of 0.8 to 1.5 for C. trachomatis and 0.8 to 2.0 for N. gonorrhoeae; samples in this range should be repeated in duplicate, and results should be discussed with the physician
3	Monthly reproducibility checks should be done by repeating random samples
Prevention
1	Change gloves frequently, especially between processing and amplification areas
2	Pipette tips should never enter any tube more than once (autopipettes can help prevent hand fatigue, e.g., Matrix Technologies Corporation, Hudson, N.H.)
3	Briefly microcentrifuge all vials before opening them
4	Utilize a microcentrifuge vial opener for all microcentrifuge tubes and use a separate one for urine samples and amplification vials; after use soak them in 20% (vol/vol) hypochlorite solution
5	For urine samples, make certain all urine is removed after centrifugation, even if no pellet is visible, but be careful not to dislodge pellet
6	Clean work area and pipettes frequently with sodium hypochlorite solution
7	Continuously monitor personnel to ensure proper technique and update training one or two times per year