Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Sterile Fluid

Suitable Specimen Types

Aspirate

Sterile Fluid

Specimen Volume

>2mL

Specimen Transport

Sample must be sent with a porter to the laboratory as soon as possible

Sample Preparation

Samples that are heavily blood stained or clotted will not be counted. Samples received in an EDTA tube only cannot be Gram stained or cultured.

Turnaround Time

24 hours (microscopy), 2 to 4 Days (Negative Report) 3 to 5 Days (Positive Report)

Sample Processing In Laboratory

All samples will have a Gram film. Samples are cultured for microorganisms.

Sample Stability

If transport is delayed, samples must be stored at ambient room temperature for a maximum of 8 hours.

General Information

  • The laboratory will examine samples of ascites, peritoneal dialysis fluid and synovial / bursa fluids. If urgent processing is required notify the laboratory using extension number 16520 during normal working hours or via switchboard at other times.
  • Samples must be received in a sterile universal container. If TB, viral or parasitic investigations are required, this should be clearly stated on the request form.
  • A cell count is performed on ascites and peritoneal dialysis fluids. To avoid samples clotting in transit, an additional EDTA tube may be sent with the universal container.
  • Synovial/bursa fluids are examined for the presence of birefringent crystals.
  • Sterile fluids may also be sent in blood culture bottles. It is not possible to perform cell counts or direct Gram’s stain on these samples. Please send an additional universal container and/or EDTA tube if these analyses are required. (See Blood Cultures for information on how to collect)

 

Information Sharing: If your sample needs to be referred or a notifiable disease is detected from your sample, your details and sample may be shared with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is a legal requirement. The UKHSA is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

 

 

Specifications

  • EQA Status: Enrolled to UK NEQAS scheme and RCPAQAP (for synovial fluid crystals)
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Related Tests

General Bacteriology (M,C & S)

Creation Date

Monday, 19 November 2018

Modification Date

Friday, 23 February 2024

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962