New laboratory techniques for hospital infection control

An overview of nosocomial infections, including the role of the microbiology laboratory

“…To investigate whether microorganisms are clonal or not, the laboratory usually examines the results of species identification and biochemical tests and patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. However, more specialized techniques are occasionally required to type certain organisms (41,100,115,135). Two of these, biotyping and antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing, were discussed earlier.…”

An overview of nosocomial infections, including the role of the microbiology laboratory.

“…To investigate whether microorganisms are clonal or not, the laboratory usually examines the results of species identification and biochemical tests and patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. However, more specialized techniques are occasionally required to type certain organisms (41,100,115,135). Two of these, biotyping and antimicrobial agent sus-ceptibility testing, were discussed earlier.…”

Basic Microbiologic Support for Hospital Epidemiology

“…These duties include (1) participating in hospitalwide infection control activities (especially the infection control committee), (2) recovering and identifying accurately the organisms responsible for nosocomial infections, (3) characterizing the antimicrobial susceptibility of many nosocomial pathogens, (4) reporting, in timely fashion, laboratory data relevant to infection control, (5) routinely conducting a few useful microbiologic studies of the hospital environment, (6) supporting investigations of specific hospital infection problems, and (7) performing special typing studies when necessary to determine whether organisms are similar or different. 1 In the past decade, changes in laboratory instrumentation and procedures have improved dramatically the laboratory's ability to support infection control efforts. Among these changes are new techniques for more rapid detection and differentiation of organisms and improved systems for both reporting patient data and analyzing trends.…”