Reporting of Microbiology Results on Tests Performed at Laboratory Alliance

The following test results will be reported to the attending physician, charge nurse, or other staff such as a ward clerk who is responsible for accepting test results.

Note: Reporting criteria may not be the same for tests performed by a reference lab.

Bacteriology

Gram Stain Results:

1. Positive Gram Stains of
1. Blood *
2. CSF *
3. Organ or tissue specimens.
2. Cervical, vaginal and urethral smears containing Gram negative intracellular diplococci.

Results Determined by Culture, Direct Antigen, or Molecular Testing:

1. Positive blood cultures*
2. Positive CSF cultures*
3. Detection of the following organisms:
1. Bordetella pertussis
2. Chlamydia trachomatis
3. Clostridium difficile toxin
4. Clostridium perfringens (in wounds)
5. Enteric pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Vibro)
6. Legionella
7. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
8. Neisseria meningitidis
9. Streptococcus agalactiae (Beta Strep. Group B) from L&D or OB Inpatient.
4. Any culture result, not listed above but that is considered to be of immediate medical significance.
5. Throat specimens with cultures or direct tests that are positive for Strep. pyogenes (Beta Strep. Group A) on outpatients not receiving auto faxed reports and all inpatient and outpatient isolates of Strep. pyogenes from specimens other than throat such as wound or vaginal. 
6. Protocol for MRSA, VRE, ESBL and CRE notification for Crouse Hospital:
1. New Patient Isolates
1. The results of all presumptive MRSA and VRE isolates recovered from clinical specimens and/or patient surveillance screening samples will be telephoned promptly to two locations of the hospital:
1. Infection Control AND
2. the hospital floor where the patient is located
   
   NOTE FOR LAB STAFF: Be certain to document the name of the person to whom the report was given as well as the date and time. Also, if the report is given to a telephone recorder for Infection Control, please indicate in your voice message the date that the sample was collected.
2. Final and confirmed results need not be telephoned to these locations.
2. Results need not be telephoned for patients who have had previously documented infection or colonization with VRE, MRSA, ESBL or CRE unless the hospital location is different. It must be documented per admission.
3. Outreach Specimens: Notify the location, e.g., physician’s office or nursing home. 

*Also a critical value

Mycobacteriology

All positive AFB smears.
All positive AFB cultures.
All positive M. tuberculosis complex PCR results.

Parasitology

In-patients: All positive blood parasite exams, pinworm exams, and scabies/lice exams.

Out-patients: All positive blood parasite exams, pinworm exams, and scabies/lice exams.

Mycology

All positive KOH preparations.
All positive fungal cultures with the exception of some yeasts commonly found in urines and sputums.
All positive cryptococcal antigen tests.

Virology

In-patients: All positive molecular and direct antigen tests such as Influenza or Rotavirus.

Out-patients: All positive molecular and direct antigen tests.

Other

Any pathogens on the reportable disease list of the NYS Department of Health not listed above.
Any nosocomial pathogens when deemed necessary by infection control (such as VRE and MRSA).

Updated 1/2024