Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
First international quality control programme for laboratories measuring antimicrobial drugs to support dose
E Wallenburg1, R J Brüggemann1,2, K Asouit1
1Department of Pharmacy, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
International quality control (proficiency testing) programmes are instituted to safeguard the analytical performance of laboratories and to aid these laboratories in identifying sources of error in their analytical methods. We describe the first international quality control programme for antimicrobial agents that are frequently used in critically ill patients.
Methods:
Spiked plasma samples with ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, piperacillin, sulfamethoxazole, N-acetyl sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were shipped to 22 laboratories from eight different countries. Acceptable accuracy by the performing laboratory was defined if measurements were within 80%-120% limits of the true weighed-in concentrations.
Results:
A total of 81% of the measurements (ranging between 56% and 100%, dependent on drug) were within the 80%-120% limits of the true weighed-in concentrations.
Conclusions:
We found a relatively good performance of the participating laboratories in measuring eight different antimicrobial drugs. Nevertheless, some of the antimicrobial drugs were not measured properly as up to 44% of the measurements was inaccurate depending on the drug. Our results emphasize the need for and utility of an ongoing quality control programme.
More Related Videos
12:03Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
Published on: April 18, 2019
11:28A Reference Broth Microdilution Method for Dalbavancin In Vitro Susceptibility Testing of Bacteria that Grow Aerobically
Published on: September 9, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Dosage Regimen: Individualization
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations
Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug Analysis Methods
Estimation of k and VD of Aminoglycosides
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence