The role of the microbiology laboratory in surveillance and control of nosocomial infections.

The microbiology laboratory's rapid and consistent identification of nosocomial pathogens is a keystone in the surveillance and control of hospital-acquired infections. In addition, the laboratory serves as a source of expert consultation for clinicians and infection control personnel and as an "early warning center" for infection problems. In making its contributions to infection control most effective, the laboratory must recognize its capabilities and limitations, must insure that the materials and methods it uses and the specimens it processes meet high standards, must provide retrievable records, and must have a good working knowledge of microbiologic technics used to evaluate both endemic and epidemic infections. Moreover, because laboratory workers come into contact daily with potentially infectious specimens and isolates, the laboratory's contributions to infection control should also include the prevention and surveillance of laboratory-acquired infections.