RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reporting practices of microbiology laboratories.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 830
OP 835
DO 10.1136/jcp.33.9.830
VO 33
IS 9
A1 V P Ackerman
A1 R C Pritchard
A1 D J Groot Obbink
A1 R Bradbury
A1 A Lee
YR 1980
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/33/9/830.abstract
AB Results of investigations on typical specimens were circulated to Australian microbiologists, who were asked to draft reports on the basis of the data provided. Many laboratories were found simply to report the results of their activities without explanations. This was true whether the finding was that of a Gram-negative rod in a postoperative sputum or an anaerobic diphtheroid in a blood culture. There was diversity of views as to what constituted probable contamination in a urine specimen. Often no clearcut verdict was given, nor did the report indicate when no conclusion was possible. Remedial measures are discussed.