The review will have 2 parts:
A.    Approx 1000 words. From your report and that of your peers (your fellow students), you will review the methods available, select which are the most appropriate and justify your selection fully in terms of value (both quality and cost). You are expected to research the literature thoroughly and critically evaluate the options available.
In order to maintain your NATA accreditation you will need to meet the requirements and so any methodology you select must be adequate for the task and meet the standards and guidelines set out by NPAAC (the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Committee). The results of NATA audits are considered by Medicare Australia in determining access to the Medicare Benefits Scheme, which is how your laboratory is paid for its work.

The Medicare schedule is quite specific about what is required for each item. Respiratory specimen analysis is covered by items 69300, 69303, in the Medicare schedule and is described as follows for example Item 69303:
Culture and (if performed) microscopy to detect pathogenic micro-organisms from nasal swabs, throat swabs, eye swabs and ear swabs (excluding swabs taken for epidemiological surveillance), including (if performed):
(a)    pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing;
(b)    or (b)    a service described in item 69300;
specimens from 1 or more sites
and so your review of methods should include a method for each of these components

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