pathologyhandbook
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Care Group Director Janet Lippett 0118 3227591 Pathology Manager Nicola Newman
Sputum Culture and Sensitivity
A 60ml screw capped container is required. In addition to date and time of sample, clinical details and antibiotic therapy. Please state if the patient has cystic fibrosis. If possible, please send a deep cough specimen e.g. obtained after physiotherapy.
Sputum samples received in the microbiology lab will only be examined if the request form indicates that the patient fulfils at least one of the following criteria.
- Severe community acquired pneumonia
- Cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis
- Non-resolving lower respiratory tract infection
- Hospital acquired (including post-operative) pneumonia
- Patients who are immunocompromised
- Patients with suspected TB (in which case examination for AFB should be specified)
- Patients with suspected Legionnaire's disease
Any samples that do not fulfil these criteria will not be processed unless discussed with the microbiology laboratory.
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Departments
- Anticoagulation Clinic
- Biochemistry
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Guidelines →
- Request Biochem Addon
- 24Hr Urine Collection
- 5HIAA test information
- Analytical Service
- Clinical Advisory Service
- Clinical Decision Limits
- Contact Information
- Chain of Custody Forms
- Endocrine Test E-book →
- Glucose Tolerance →
- Opening Hours
- Profiles Available
- Urgent Requests
- Validation, Authorisation and Interpretation of Reports
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- Blood Bank
- Cellular Pathology
- Haematology
- Microbiology
- Abnormal Microbiology Results
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Chain of Custody
- Contact Information
- Enteric Microbiology Requesting Protocol
- Flu PCR
- General Information
- Microbiology Monovette
- Opening Hours
- Respiratory Serology and Viral Culture Repertoire.
- Time Limits for Requesting Addons
- Urgent & Out of Hours Requests
- Post Mortem
- User Services
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Reference
- Clinical Decision Limits
- ICE Requesting
- Investigations
- Patient Information
- Reference Ranges
- Requesting Instructions
- Sample Containers
- Sample Storage
Users
Reviewed: D.Denton 30/09/10 Version: 1.0 Review due: 30/09/12