AFB CULTURE

The accuracy of laboratory tests hinges greatly on the proper collection, labeling, handling, and storage of specimens before and during testing. Microbiological tests lack standardization compared to some other lab tests, heavily relying on the information accompanying the specimen for processing and interpretation. Errors in specimen management can lead to inaccurate results, impacting patient care, hospital infection control, length of hospital stays, costs, and lab efficiency. Given that mistakes during initial sample collection cannot be rectified later, the process’s precision is critical. Correcting errors often necessitates collecting new specimens, emphasizing the pivotal role of meticulous sample collection for microbiology testing.