We have lower standards than for bacteriologic workup, but we still reject
about 30% of sputums submitted for AFB smear and culture. Some references
say not to screen; but if clinicians follow up patients on therapy and
evaluate effectiveness on the basis of numbers of colonies and organisms
in the smear, then don't we need uniform quality? (We don't get quick
repeat attempts. Usually takes a day for a new specimen.)
Thanks for any ideas.
Susan Uyeda
Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, AC
