Abstract: Objective To establish and develop a feasible Quality Control(QC)system for sputum smear microscopic examination in China.Method Four times external QC were carried out by way of direct supervision and indirect supervision in plain area or mountain area laboratories within one year.Results and Conclusion The accordance rate of QC between direct and indirect supervision did not show significant difference.The substance of direct supervision is much richer and the cost is much lower than that of direct supervision.Based on the results of the study,we suggest direct supervision is very effective and can not be replaced by other method,especially at the beginning of QC.Local laboratories can combine the two supervision methods according to their own economical and topographic condition,but they must perform direct supervision at least once a year.

Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Quality control, Sputum