Urine: mixed flora – Shipped February 08, 2021
HISTORY
A simulated MSU collected from 83 year old living in long-term nursing home was sent to category A laboratories. Participants were expected to report the sample as mixed flora and not to process any further.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M204-1
- Mixed cultures should be reported without quantification or identification (of individual isolates). Collection of a fresh specimen should be recommended.
- Clean catch or MSU can be difficult to obtain in poorly cooperative LTC patients. Straight catheterization may be needed to obtain a satisfactory sample.
- Urine samples should be refrigerated prior to and during transport to the microbiology lab to prevent overgrowth of contaminating organisms.
