Changes

==Bacteriology Samples==

==Bacteriology Samples==

===Swabs===

===Swabs===

*Swab the area which is showing active signs of inflammation - avoid areas of pus as the neutrophilic destruction of bacteria which froms pus is less likely to produce a live culture.

*Swab the area which is showing active signs of inflammation - avoid areas of pus as the neutrophilic destruction of bacteria which forms pus is less likely to produce a live culture.

*Use asceptic techniques and watch the swab tip until it has been safely replacced in the swab container to prevent accidental contamination prior to culture.

*Use aseptic techniques and watch the swab tip until it has been safely replaced in the swab container to prevent accidental contamination prior to culture.

*Transport media containing charcoal is suitable for most samples with some notable exceptions such as Strangles PCR swabs. Check with your submitting lad the first time you collect a swab for a specific diagnostic test to see if their are any special transport medium requirements. CEMO swabs must be taken in charcoal.

*Transport media containing charcoal is suitable for most samples with some notable exceptions such as Strangles PCR swabs. Check with your submitting lad the first time you collect a swab for a specific diagnostic test to see if there are any special transport medium requirements. CEMO swabs must be taken in charcoal.

*Label the swab immediately and indelibly with the patient details, site, and date.  

*Label the swab immediately and indelibly with the patient details, site, and date.  

*Fill in your external lab rquest as completely as possible - the more information you inlclude the better the chances of a diagnostic result. Most cultures are likley to give a mixed growth and if the pathologoist can rule in or out organism based on the information you give them then the pathologicalprocess becomes more considerably more accurate.

*Fill in your external lab request form as completely as possible - the more information you include the better the chances of a diagnostic result. Most cultures are likely to give a mixed growth and if the pathologist can rule in or out organism based on the information you give them then the pathological process becomes considerably more accurate.

*Refrigerate samples that are awaiting postage later in the day, as this will help to prevent an overgrowth of fast growing organisnms at the expense of pathogenic organisms.  

*Refrigerate samples that are awaiting postage later in the day, as this will help to prevent an overgrowth of fast growing organisms at the expense of pathogenic organisms.

 

===In House Culture===

===In House Culture===

Accurate paperwork is essential when culturing in house samples so that changes noted on plates can be recorded over time. Always warm culture plates to room temperature prior to innoculation or cold shock can inhibit a delicate organism from growing on a plate. Different mediums can be a used to select for an organism of interest:  

Accurate paperwork is essential when culturing in house samples so that changes noted on plates can be recorded over time. Always warm culture plates to room temperature prior to innoculation or cold shock can inhibit a delicate organism from growing on a plate. Different mediums can be a used to select for an organism of interest: