Sputum: Normal Flora – Shipped May 14, 2016
HISTORY
A simulated sputum sample collected from 69 year old with cough was sent to category A and B laboratories.
Participants were expected to report normal flora.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M181-3
- Technologists should recognize which organisms are likely to be normal oropharyngeal/respiratory flora.
- Identifying and reporting isolates which are known to be normal flora in the sputum sample is discouraged.