2021 Volume 70 Issue 3 Pages 542-550
There have been few reports on the internalization of microbiological testing in mid-sized hospitals. To contribute to better management of the future hospitalization of patients with microbial diseases in a mid-sized hospital, we report on the efforts and problems that have led to the establishment of microbiology laboratories. In April 2018, we conducted a microbiology laboratory establishment project led by hospital administrators in relation to location, equipment, systems, necessary works, communication with the administration, visits to other facilities and external training, and a study session by external instructors among others. After that, we created a microbiology working group led by the Infection Control Team and discussed the contents of the tests and the duties of the microbiology team. As a result, the microbiology laboratory officially started operation in August 2019. Blood culture bottles were stored in the laboratory after collection when it outsourced. After the start of operation, we were able to start cultivation within two hours after collection. During the first month of operation, we frequently encountered system failures. In addition, the number of specimens exceeded the capacity of the laboratory, and all specimens other than outpatient specimens and urgent specimens were outsourced to other laboratories. This meant that only specimens from emergency rooms and hospitalized patients were processed in the hospital. In addition, human resource development is an urgent task. Internalization has shortened the reporting time for blood-culture-positive cases and increased the chances for more inquiries regarding microbiology test results and specimen collection.
