Download Microbiology Urine Analysis

Microbiology Urine Analysis
From Monday 15th March 2010 the microbiology department will replace
urine microscopy with a new technique utilising automated flow cytometry, using
the Iris IQ200 Sprint. The new analyser will count leucocytes, red blood cells,
epithelial cells, bacteria etc. This method is substantially more sensitive than
microscopy and can identify urines that do not require culture. The method has a
negative predictive value of 92.05%. Only specimens that exceed set parameters
of leucocytes and bacteria, and those that fall into the categories listed in 4 below,
will be cultured.
As a result you will see the following changes to current practice:
1. The specimens with a negative flow cytometry, and no culture, will have
the final result available on the same day that they are tested on the
analyser.
2. An absolute count of each of the cell types will be produced.
3. A small number of specimens may not be suitable for analysis by flow
cytometry, eg mucus, frank pus, or very small specimens. These
specimens will be reported with only a culture result.
4. Certain urine samples will be cultured as long as the details are clearly
indicated on the request form. These are:
Children under 10 years old
Pregnant women
Supra pubic aspirates
Nephrostomy urines
Patients from wards 302 and 303
5. The reporting system will change slightly. A new category of
“No Significant Growth” will replace “Scanty Contaminants.”
6. The following urine tests will require a specimen and request form
separate to the microscopy and culture request.
MRSA screen
Strep. pneumoniae antigen
Legionella antigen
Microscopy for Schistosoma haematobium