Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Clinical governance
Competencies
Practitioners must be competent and feel confident that they have the knowledge, skill and understanding to undertake respiratory tract secretion sampling for microbiological analysis (NMC [165]). For more advanced skills of specimen collection, such as suctioning, the practitioner should receive training and be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of the technique and potential adverse effects that may occur, such as hypoxia, cardiovascular instability and mucosal trauma (NMC [165]). BAL is normally performed by a member of the medical team who has received specialist training and has been deemed competent in the skill.
