A Guide To Specimen Management In Clinical Microbiology

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.

This valuable and much needed reference/text provides details on proper communication between the lab and its clients, the rationale associated with the specimen requirements, and the correct procedures for specimen collection and management in the clinical microbiology laboratory. The first section looks at the premises on which quality microbiology diagnostic processes depend. It outlines the criteria that must be followed by the lab in the interest of good lab practice. The next section details the reasons why the lab must be involved in each part of the testing process, including the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical steps. The rationale for stringent standards for specimen quality is also outlined. Section III gives instruction on how to select, collect, store and transport specimens for microbiological analysis. The last section contains excellent summary charts for quick reference for bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology specimens that can be used as a quick reference guide to answer most questions regarding the lab needs for a particular specimen.

In response to the ever-changing needs and responsibilities of the clinical microbiology field, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, Fourth Edition has been extensively reviewed and updated to present the most prominent procedures in use today. The Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook provides step-by-step protocols and descriptions that allow clinical microbiologists and laboratory staff personnel to confidently and accurately perform all analyses, including appropriate quality control recommendations, from the receipt of the specimen through processing, testing, interpretation, presentation of the final report, and subsequent consultation.

Although there are a number of comprehensive books in clinical micro biology, there remains a need for a manual that can be used in the clinical laboratory to guide the daily performance of its work. Most of the existing publications provide detailed and precise information, for example, by which a microorganism can be characterized and identified beyond any doubt; however, the number of tests involved in this process exceeds the capabilities and resources of most clinical laboratories and are irrele vant for patient care. It is, therefore, necessary in any clinical laboratory to extract from reference manuals, textbooks, and journals those tests and procedures that are to be used to complete the daily workload as efficiently and accurately as possible. It is also essential in the clinical laboratory to determine, on the basis of the kind of specimen being exam ined, which microorganisms are clinically relevant and require isolation and identification and which should either be excluded selectively or simply regarded as indigenous flora and, therefore, not specifically identi fied. Cost and time limit a laboratory's resources, and priorities must be established for handling the workload. The procedures described in the second edition of this manual are those selected by our staff for use in the clinical laboratory on the basis of clinic~l relevance, accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency. Alternative procedures, when considered equivalent on the basis of personal or pub lished experience, have been included where appropriate.

In response to the ever-changing needs and responsibilities of the clinical microbiology field, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, Fourth Edition has been extensively reviewed and updated to present the most prominent procedures in use today. The Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook provides step-by-step protocols and descriptions that allow clinical microbiologists and laboratory staff personnel to confidently and accurately perform all analyses, including appropriate quality control recommendations, from the receipt of the specimen through processing, testing, interpretation, presentation of the final report, and subsequent consultation. If you are looking for online access to the latest from this reference or site access for your lab, please visit www.wiley.com/learn/clinmicronow.

The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology 2nd Edition, International Edition reviews in detail the current state of the art in each of the disciplines of clinical microbiology, and reviews the sensitivities, specificities and predictive values, and subsequently the effectiveness, of commercially available methods – both manual and automated. This text allows the user to easily summarize the available methods in any particular field, or for a specific pathogen – for example, what to use for an Influenza test, a Legionella test, or what instrument to use for identification or for an antibiotic susceptibility test. The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology, 2nd Edition, International Edition presents a wealth of relevant information to clinical pathologists, directors and supervisors of clinical microbiology, infectious disease physicians, point-of-care laboratories, professionals using industrial applications of diagnostic microbiology and other healthcare providers. The content will allow professionals to analyze all commercially available methods to determine which works best in their particular laboratory, hospital, clinic, or setting. Updated to appeal to an international audience, The Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology, 2nd Edition, International Edition is an invaluable reference to those in the health science and medical fields.

The collaborative efforts of over 140 experienced clinical microbiologists, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory technologists are included in the new edition of the Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook . This well–respected reference continues to serve as the sole major publication providing step–by–step descriptions that enable clinical microbiologists and their staffs to perform all analyses and their control from the recept of the specimen to the final report. In respones to the ever–changing needs and responsibilities of the clinical microbilogy community, three brand–new sections have been added, covering procedures for coding and reimbursement, specimen collection and transport, and bioterrorism. To accomodate the expanding role of clinical microbiologists, the new edition places greater emphasis on areas such as molecular approaches, bioterrorism, and infection control in medical facilities. Procedures are formatted to adhere to the GP2–A document of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). As an added feature, procedures are now divided into preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical considerations. The icons in the margin of the text relate to safety and standard precautions and will remind users of the need to register dates of receipt, starting in service and expiration, as well as reinforce quality control. To maximize the flexibility and currency of the new edition, CMPH is now available in print, CD–ROM, and online formats. The online version of CMPH will be updated continually, followed by timely revisions to the CD–ROM and print formats. Using any combination of the available formats, users may customize the Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook to best accomodate the needs of their laboratory staff. New to the Second Edition addition of three new sections and thorough revision and expansion of existing section greater emphasis on molecular approaches, bioterrorism, and infection control in medical facilities all procedures divided into preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical considerations new authors detail remarkable expertise in performing diagnostic analyses available in print and electronic formats