Bacteriology

Bacteriology standards for the laboratory testing covering receipt of the sample in the laboratory to the issue of a report.

These are bacteriology standards for the laboratory covering receipt of the sample in the laboratory to the issue of a report.

The search strategy for these documents are available on request by emailing: standards@ukhsa.gov.uk.

B 4 - Investigation of superficial mouth samples

Details

Issue date: 13 June 2022 

Issue number: 7.2

Please note that the title has been changed from 'Investigation of mouth swabs' to ‘Investigation of superficial mouth samples’.

B 5 - Investigation of samples from paranasal sinuses

Details

Issue date: 16 September 2024

Issue number: 8

Please note that the title has been changed from ‘Investigation of nasal samples’ to ‘Investigation of samples from paranasal sinuses’.

B 6 - Investigation of whooping cough

Details

Issue date: 11 May 2018 

Issue number: 9

Please note that the title has been changed from ‘Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis’ to 'Investigation of whooping cough’.

B 9 - Investigation of throat related specimens

Details

Issue date: 15 April 2015 

Issue number: 9

Please note that B9 ‘Investigation of throat swabs’ and P3 'Recommendations for screening specimens for Corynebacterium species' have merged to become ‘Investigation of throat related specimens’.

B 11 - Swabs from skin and superficial soft tissue infections

Details

Issue date 19 September 2018

Issue number 1.7

There has been a delay in the review of this document because it is being reviewed as part of a syndromic approach. It is hoped that this will be reviewed and updated accordingly as soon as possible.

Updated Department of Health guidelines regarding testing for Clostridium difficile were issued in May 2012.

Please note: RUCs for this document is not available.

The syndromic algorithm S 7: Gastroenteritis provides supporting information related to this UK SMI.

B 14 - Investigation of pus and exudates

Details

Issue date: 22 November 2016

Issue number: 6.2

Please note that the title has been changed from ‘Investigation of abscesses and deep seated wound infections’ to ‘Investigation of pus and exudates’.

B 15 - Investigation of bile

Details

Issue date: 11 January 2018 

Issue number: 7

B 17 - Tissues and biopsies from deep-seated sites and organs

Details

Issue date: 5 January 2018 

Issue number: 6.3

Please note that the title has been changed from ‘Investigation of tissues and biopsies’ to ‘Investigation of tissues and biopsies from deep seated sites and organs’.

B 20 - Investigation of intravascular cannulae and associated specimens

Details

Issue date: 27 June 2017

Issue number: 6.1

B 22 - Investigation of cerebrospinal fluid shunts

Details

Issue date: 12 June 2015 

Issue number: 6.1