Wound: Normal Skin Flora – Shipped 15 February 2016
HISTORY
A simulated leg wound swab collected from a 19 year old female cyclist with road rash was sent to category A and B laboratories.
Participants were expected to report normal skin flora.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M154-3
- Identifying and reporting a single bacterial name may imply to the clinician that the laboratory interprets this result as clinically relevant. This is increased by adding in more information, in particular antibiotic susceptibilities.
- Close and nuanced communication between the clinicians and laboratory particularly surrounding specimen collection and reports is essential for patient care and safety.
