Case Reports Microbiology 2018 Exercise 2: Molecular and Culture-Based Result Disagreement in a Patient With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Line Septicemia (CSMB1802)

Nicole Zitterkopf, PhD, D(ABMM), MPH, MT(ASCP)
Accreditation Director Medical Director, Microbiology HealthPartners and Park Nicollet Medical Groups Bloomington, Minnesota

Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists

Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants,  Laboratory Directors and Educators

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

• discuss the advantages of molecular-based identification assays for use in blood cultures;
• identify causes of false-positive results that may occur in blood cultures and molecular-based identification assays;
• identify opportunities to improve communication in the setting of discordant microbiology test results; and
• define methods that the microbiology laboratory can use to communicate complex information to health care teams.