Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Post‐procedural considerations
Immediate care
Specimens should be sent to the laboratory immediately or no later than 2 hours following collection (Bonham [17]). For specimens that cannot be transferred to the laboratory within 2 hours, storage at room temperature is considered to be appropriate for the maintenance of aerobic and anaerobic micro‐organisms. Advice should be sought from the microbiology laboratory if practitioners are unsure of the storage requirements for the sample.
Documentation
Relevant and detailed information – such as clinical presentation, signs and symptoms of infection, and the site and nature of the swab – should be indicated on the sample and microbiology request form. This allows the microbiology laboratory to select the most appropriate processing technique and assist in differentiating organisms that would normally be expected at a particular site from those causing infection (Weston [255]).
In accordance with the principles of good record keeping, the date and time when a swab is sent to the laboratory should be documented clearly and promptly in the patient's notes and care plan (NMC [165]). This should be done alongside documentation of the clinical nursing assessment, particularly in relation to significant findings that have prompted the collection of the sample, such as observation of inflammation or discharge at the site. This assists in the communication and dissemination of information between members of the inter‐professional healthcare team.
