Overview
Microbiology laboratory workflow is the controlled sequence from specimen receipt through direct examination, culture, identification, selective AST, verification, reporting, and critical notification.
Classification
| Phase | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Preanalytical | Order / collection | Accepted, accessioned specimen |
| Analytical | Direct exam / inoculation | ID (± AST) results ready |
| Postanalytical | Verification / notification | Reported, documented, corrected as needed |
Morphologic Features
Workflow reference, direct exams feed early reports but are one step in the pathway.
Laboratory Characteristics
- Blood-culture and sterile-site triage
- Reading schedules and pending queues
- ID/AST instrument or manual method status
- Critical-call documentation
Reference Intervals
AST interpretive categories follow currently adopted CLSI/EUCAST standards, verify institutional adoption and software versions.
Clinical and Laboratory Significance
Staged workflow delivers timely smears and reliable final ID/AST without releasing unverified or insignificant results.
Differential Considerations
Separate waiting for biologically required growth from avoidable queue delays and from unsafe skips of QC or verification.
Comparison Tables
Staged reporting cues
| Output | Typical timing cue | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Gram stain on positive blood culture | Minutes after flag | Analytical → postanalytical notify |
| Preliminary organism ID | After sufficient growth / method | Analytical / prelim report |
| AST final | After incubation + interpretation | Analytical → postanalytical release |
| Corrected report | When released data must change | Postanalytical |
Classification Frameworks
Not applicable.
Laboratory Notes
- Label preliminary vs final clearly
- Do not hold critical smears for colony growth
- AST reports inform clinicians . MLS does not dose therapy
References
Authoritative textbooks, guidelines, and reviews supporting this reference entry. Verify reference intervals, critical limits, and reflex criteria against institutional protocols and current guideline editions.
Textbooks
- Forbes BA, Sahm DF, Weissfeld AS. Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology. 15th ed. Elsevier; 2020.
- Mahon CR, Lehman DC, Manuselis G. Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018.
- Carroll KC, Hobden JA, Miller S, et al. Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology. 28th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2019.
- Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA. Medical Microbiology. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
CLSI and Professional Guidelines
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. CLSI document M100 (verify current edition and institutional adoption).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / NIH. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL). Current edition (verify institutional adoption).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using this Laboratory Workflow foundational topics Medical Laboratory Library reference in Medical Laboratory Science education.
What is the Laboratory Workflow laboratory reference?
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