CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
October 2014—The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute released a new microbiology standard, Principles and Procedures for Detection of Anaerobes in Clinical Specimens; Approved Guideline (M56-A). This document presents standardized, cost-effective, and efficient best practice processes for anaerobe bacteriology to assist clinical laboratories in selecting those methods that lead to improved patient care.
M56-A includes methods for collecting proper specimens from appropriate clinical sites and for transport procedures that protect anaerobes from oxygen exposure so all pathogens involved in infections can be detected. The document contains color photographs of Gram-stain reactions and colonial morphology and easy-to-follow identification tables. It also discusses the clinical significance of taxonomic names.
Recommendations for interpreting results, assistance in understanding the value of rapid preliminary results, and guidance on QC, quality assurance, and competency are also discussed.
CLSI, 610-688-0100