Microbiology telephoned results

New opening hours 8am - 8pm. 

There a particular organisms and test types that are always telephoned out by the Microbiology department due to them being infection control risks or multidrug resistant organisms. 


Inpatients

 First positive results for enteric pathogens: 

  • C.difficile
  • Campylobacter spp
  • Salmonella spp 
  • Shigella spp
  • E.coli O:157
  • Giardia lamblia
  • Cryptosporidium spp
  • Norovirus


Organisms from normally sterile sites with a positive Gram's stain, culture or PCR result. e.g.

  • Cerebrospinal fluid

  • Joint fluids

  • Tissues
     

MRSA isolates if information on request cards indicates a clinically significant site or infection e.g. orthopaedic wound.

N. gonorrhoea isolates that are non GUM.

Staphylococcus aureus with PVL toxin.

Staphylococcus aureus isolated from renal patients as part of a screen.

Positives ZN stains and Mycobacterium spp cultures

ALL positive blood cultures. Gram's stain and a significant or possibly significant isolates

Beta-Haemolytic group A streptococcus

Beta-Haemolytic group B from HVS/ urine on antenatal patients on Labour Ward.

Multiple resistant isolates e.g. ESBL, AMPC, carbapenemases

Chlamydia from children and pregnant women

New and/ or acute hepatitis A, B, C, E and HIV results

Negative VZV immunity result in immuno-compromised/pregnant patients and neonates with a history of contact with chicken pox.

Positive Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen on urine

Positive respiratory viral PCR results in immunocompromised and intensive care/ neonatal patients.

Any significant results which may require further action or discussion.
 

Community and outpatient

 First positive results for enteric pathogens:

  • C.difficile
  • Campylobacter spp
  • Salmonella spp 
  • Shigella spp
  • E.coli O:157
  • Giardia lamblia
  • Cryptosporidium spp
  • Noro virus
  • Rota virus

Organisms from normally sterile sites eg joint aspirates

Beta-Haemolytic group A streptococcus from all sites if information on request card indicates significant infection, e.g. post partum sepsis.

MRSA isolates if information on request cards indicates a clinically significant site or infection e.g. orthopaedic wound.

Staphylococcus aureus with PVL toxin 

N. gonorrhoea isolates that are non GUM

Corynbacterium diphtheriae (Diphtheria)

Positive ZN stains and Mycobacterium spp cultures

Chlamydia from children

Serology results suggesting acute hepatitis A, B, C, E and HIV results

Negative VZV immunity results in immunocompromised/pregnant patients with a history of contact with chickenpox.

Any significant results, which may require further action or discussion

Acute infections with outbreak potential in close community setting e.g. boarding school, nursing home:

  • Influenza virus

  • Measles/ Mumps

  • Norovirus

  • Legionella pneumophila (Legionnaire's disease)

  • Bordatella pertussis (Whooping cough)


During the weekend and if the request form suggests a serious infection or there are public health/ infection control implications consider calling the Derbyshire Health United (DHU).