This procedure will guide you through indications, timing, number of sets, volume of draw per set, and PICC line collection. INDICATION Routine blood cultures should be performed on patients with suspected bacteremia or candidemia. TIMING Blood cultures should be drawn prior to the administration of antibiotics whenever possible, or as soon as possible after administration […]
NICL Laboratories provides scheduled lectures and question-and-answer sessions to clients on relevant topics, including: Infection Control Report Facility-specific statistics on infection instances and types Report overview and discussion Laboratory Results Reporting of Laboratory Values Discussion on handling abnormal laboratory result Review of the Advanced Standing Order System Laboratory forms and computer printouts Maintenance of the […]
Enterococci Enterococci are part of normal gastrointestinal and genital tract flora. Enterococci are gram positive cocci included in the Streptococci group D species; they are widely distributed in nature, animals and humans. Among the 17 species currently recognized, E. faecalis and E. faecium are the most prominent in humans. Infections that can be caused by […]
The HIV Ag/Ab Combo, 4th generation assay is an in vitro diagnostic immunoassay for the simultaneous qualitative detection of human immunodeficiency virus p24 antigen and antibodies to human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 (including group “O”) and type 2, in serum. This assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV […]
NICL Laboratories provides two types of specimen collection cups/devices: URINALYSIS and URINE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY One device (shown to the left) is a combination collection and transport kit. This kit should be used only for Urinalysis testing and for the preservation of a quality specimen for Culture and Sensitivity. The urine is collected in the […]
Specimen collection and labeling are essential steps to assuring reliable results. The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals, CLIA, and other inspecting agencies require all specimen to have two patient identifiers. The following guidelines apply to all specimen, routine laboratory, microbiology, cytology, and anatomic pathology. DO NOT label the specimen tubes prior to collection. 24-hour […]
NICL Laboratories performs D-dimer testing utilizing the INNOVANCE™ D-dimer assay. The D-Dimer assay is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) [deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)]. Non-elevated levels almost always indicate absence of VTE. Very rarely some patients with distal DVT may yield D-dimer results below […]
The keystone to the laboratory’s ability to provide accurate test results is the proper identification of the patient from whom the specimen is collected. Therefore it is crucial to ensure that the specimen being collected, processed and tested is correctly associated with a positively identified patient. Acceptable methods of positive patient identification are described below. […]
Cultures of central venous catheter tips are frequently ordered to help determine the source of bacteremia. Correct collection and submission are essential for accurate results and personnel safety. The intracutaneous segment and distal tip of long catheters should be submitted, but in practice the catheter tip is usually received and should be accepted. The catheter […]
Previously known as Flavobacterium meningosepticum, and more recently as Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a gram-negative bacterium found in soil and water. Although it is rarely isolated from clinical specimens, this organism is resistant to several classes of antimicrobials and is capable of causing infection in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, skin and soft tissue, the respiratory […]
