A Guide to Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology

by J. Michael Miller, Shelley A. Miller

Overview

A Guide to Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology is the classic reference that addresses and meets the needs of everyone in the "total testing process" circle. It provides complete, concise information on the unique needs of the microbiology laboratory regarding specimen management and is the only single source for the specimen management policies required for laboratory results that are accurate, significant, and clinically relevant.

Medical, nursing, and medical technology students, practicing physicians, private practice offices, clinical laboratories, and public health laboratories can turn to this valuable resource to answer their questions on issues such as the correct procedures of specimen selection, collection, transport, and storage in the clinical microbiology laboratory, the rationale associated with the specimen requirements, and proper communication between the lab and its clients.

If you are looking for online access to the latest clinical microbiology content, please visit www.wiley.com/learn/clinmicronow. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555819613
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/21/2017
Series:	ASM Books
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

About the Authors xii

How To Use This Book xiii

Section I Communicating Laboratory Needs 1

Basic Issues 3

Selecting a Representative Specimen 8

Requisitions 11

Specimen Packaging and Transport 13

Color-Coded Vacuum Tubes 23

Catheters Often Used in Medical Procedures 23

Specimen Priority 26

Specimen Rejection Criteria 30

Rejection Statements or Addenda to Laboratory Reports Specialty Testing 36

Environmental Samples 37

Hand Wash Specimens 39

Laboratory Reports 40

Section II Specimen Management Policies and Rationale 41

Collection Times 43

Collection Procedures 45

Specimen Transport 50

Specimen Processing: General 51

Specimen Processing: Molecular 53

Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens 55

Urine Specimens 57

Wound Specimens 58

Spinal Fluid Specimens 59

Throat and Nasopharyngeal Specimens 60

Vaginal and Endometrial Specimens 61

Miscellaneous Specimens 64

Section III Specimen Collection and Processing 65

Body Fluid Specimens 67

Abdominal-Peritoneal Fluid (Paracentesis, Ascites) 67

Blood Specimens 69

Cerebrospinal Fluid 73

Pleural-Thoracentesis Fluid 75

Gastrointestinal Specimens 77

Duodenal Contents 77

Gastric Contents 81

Pinworm Eggs Collected by Adhesive Tape Preparation 83

Rectal and Anal Swab Specimens 86

Sigmoidoscopy Specimens for Amebiasis 88

Stool or Feces for Culture or Parasitology Studies 89

Stool Specimen Collection Directions 93

Genital Specimens 95

General Information 95

Cervical or Endocervical Specimens 98

Genital Smears for Herpes 100

Urethral and Penile Specimens 101

Respiratory Specimens 103

General Information 103

Bronchoscopy-Bronchial Washing 105

Nasal Specimens 108

Nasopharyngeal Specimens 110

Sputum 113

Tracheal Aspirate 115

Transtracheal Aspirate 116

Throat Specimens 117

Urine Specimens 119

General Information 119

Urine from Catheters 120

Clean-Catch Urine 122

Cystoscopic Specimens: Bilateral Urethral Catheterization 125

Suprapubic Aspirate for Urine Cultures 126

Urine Specimens: Bladder Washout 128

Urine Specimens: Ileal Conduit 129

Viruses, Chlamydiae, Rickettsiae, and Fungi 131

Chlamydia Culture 131

Specimens for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp. 133

Fungal Specimens 134

Rickettsial Specimens 136

Viral Specimens 137

Wound Specimens 141

General Information 141

Ear (Otitis Media) Specimens 143

Eye Specimens 146

Skin and Contiguous Tissue Specimens 150

Section IV Specimen Management Summary Tables 153

Bacteriology and Mycology Specimen Collection Guidelines 155

Specimen Management for Infrequently Encountered Organisms 174

Specimen Guide for Virus Isolation 176

Virology Specimen Collection Guidelines 178

Parasitology: Anatomic Sites Containing Diagnostic Stages 184

Parasitology Specimen Collection Guidelines 186

References 193

Index 199

Editorial Reviews

This short text provides instructions for the proper selection and collection of specimens sent for microbiologic examination and culture. The purpose is to educate those who collect specimens so that they may obtain the best material for culture and transport it to the laboratory in the most appropriate manner. The clinician can only obtain clinically relevant results from a quality specimen, which is a very important concept in this current climate of cost-effective health care. The book addresses every member of the health care team, the doctors, nurses, aides and laboratorians, who work in concert to provide quality patient care. Each section has guidelines stating for whom it is most pertinent. The author is a knowledgeable clinical microbiologist who works at the Centers for Disease Control as well as a hospital consultant. Most information is presented as step-by-step protocols with tables to summarize the procedures. Some techniques are illustrated by black-and-white photographs or drawings. Both the microorganisms being cultured and the specimen sites being sampled are listed in the index. The book is a small paperback that can be kept in the specimen processing area or on the patient floor for easy reference. Reasons for specimen rejection are well written and they include statements that may be attached to patient reports covering a wide range of problems. The book emphasizes the importance of communication between the clinician and the laboratory. The more specific the information the clinician can provide about the specimen site and the patient, the more appropriately the lab can culture and interpret the results. This practical text hopes to educate those procuringspecimens, a topic that does not receive much time in the medical school curriculum, but one that is paramount when faced with real patients with infectious diseases.

Roberta B. Carey

The guide emphasizes communication between health care team members, introducing the concepts of specimen quality and its relationship to accurate, relevant laboratory practice. Written for nurses, physicians, and laboratory workers, the volume outlines criteria and rationale for specimen collection, storing, and transporting of gastrointestinal, urine, wound, genital, respiratory, and viral specimens. Quick reference summary tables are provided, detailing bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic management procedures. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: Roberta B. Carey, PhD (Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: This short text provides instructions for the proper selection and collection of specimens sent for microbiologic examination and culture.
Purpose: The purpose is to educate those who collect specimens so that they may obtain the best material for culture and transport it to the laboratory in the most appropriate manner. The clinician can only obtain clinically relevant results from a quality specimen, which is a very important concept in this current climate of cost-effective health care.
Audience: The book addresses "every member of the health care team," the doctors, nurses, aides and laboratorians, who work in concert to provide quality patient care. Each section has guidelines stating for whom it is most pertinent. The author is a knowledgeable clinical microbiologist who works at the Centers for Disease Control as well as a hospital consultant.
Features: Most information is presented as step-by-step protocols with tables to summarize the procedures. Some techniques are illustrated by black-and-white photographs or drawings. Both the microorganisms being cultured and the specimen sites being sampled are listed in the index. The book is a small paperback that can be kept in the specimen processing area or on the patient floor for easy reference. Reasons for specimen rejection are well written and they include statements that may be attached to patient reports covering a wide range of problems.
Assessment: The book emphasizes the importance of communication between the clinician and the laboratory. The more specific the information the clinician can provide about the specimen site and the patient, the more appropriately the lab can culture and interpret the results. This practical text hopes to educate those procuring specimens, a topic that does not receive much time in the medical school curriculum, but one that is paramount when faced with real patients with infectious diseases.

Doody's Review Service