UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMIs)
UK SMIs are a comprehensive referenced collection of NICE accredited algorithms and procedures for clinical microbiology. SMIs are available at www.hpa.org.uk/SMI.
SMIs are primarily intended as a general resource for practicing professionals in microbiology laboratories in the UK and assist with the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. In addition, this online resource aims to provide support to clinical microbiologists and commissioners of microbiology services.
The process to produce SMIs is NHS Evidence accredited and certified to ISO 9001:2008. The accreditation is applicable to all guidance produced since October 2009 using the SMI development process.
SMIs undergo a comprehensive consultation process involving staff in microbiology laboratories. A consultation of an SMI is open for approximately 12 weeks. Go to www.hpa.org.uk/SMI/pdf to view documents currently ‘Under Consultation’.
Updates & requests for comments / consultation : An RSS feed for the SMI web pages is operational for updates on issued and re-issued documents. The link to the SMI RSS feed is located on the main UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations page; www.hpa.org.uk/SMI. Click on the link to ‘Standards RSS’ under the Section called ‘Subscribe to the SMI RSS feed’. Next click on the green cross on the top left of the page that says subscribe to this feed. You will then be able to keep up to date with new developments relating to SMIs.