Specimen collection

Question 1

6 normal specimens

Answer 1

• urine
• faeces
• wound swabs
• respiratory specimens
• CSF
• blood culture

Question 2

Day one/two lab events

Answer 2

D1

Prelim report may be possible

• macroscopic examination
• microscopy
• Plate out

D2

Report on significatn growth and likely identity ususally possible

• ID/confirmation
• Sensitivity tests

NB. Antibiotic treatment need not await sensitivity tests. Treatment can be advised on day 1

Question 3

Common porblems in speciment collection

Answer 3

• Swabs with little or no infectious material
• Saliva instead of sputum
• Crystal-clear urine in “UTI”
• Hard faeces in “diarrhoea”
• Blood cultures contaminated with skin organimss
• Specimens put into unsterile containers
• Specimens put into histological fixatives

Question 4

Important info to add to request card

Answer 4

• Obvious patient info
• Date of onset
• Travel history
• Past antibmicrobial Rx
• Specify request clearly