The use of the laboratory (General principle )

* Collection of clinically relevant speceimens:
The best use of the laboratory involves sending only relevant specimens so that work can be done on a reasonable no. of specimens especially when economic situation of the coumtry is greatly limited
Examples of unnexessary investigations include routine microscopy and culture of urine specimens from all non catheterized adult patients in hospital without symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection.
The role of the consultant clinical microbiologist:
A- Regular contact with clinical colleagues to ensure the appropriate investigation for the clinical conditions, and that good quality specimeas are sent
Organize the laboratory so that the relevant investigations are carried out reliably, safely and economically. Important results are communicated to colleagues and discussed.
B- As regard consultation on the investigation and management of patients with infection problems. Seeing patient on the words, temp. charts, drug shets. Etc., together with chinical collegues
Discussing difficult clinical problems and management of out breaks of infectious disease
As regards Control of hospital infection:
design implementation of policies on the use of antibiotics, isolation procedures, sterilization and disinfection
D- Asregard teaching research :-
-Educetion of medical staff about infections, the use of antibiotics, disinfectants. Etc.
-Research on epidemialogy, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of infections.
Provision of essential clinical information:
The information routinely required in labortory request : age , breif details of the main clinical condition , date of onset of the illess, antibiotic therapy, history of recent travel abroad, suspected source of infection.
Prior Discussion with microbiologist.
To achieve the best use of the laboratory certain types of investigation need to be discussed with the micrabiologist. These include, assay of antibiotis the isolatin of viruses, molecular biology tests, and the investigations of possible cross infection incidents.