• The list of available Microbiology tests can be accessed through Beacon.

Before you e-mail/phone

• In most situations, junior staff should discuss the problem with senior members of their own team, and consult the Antimicrobial Handbook and Microbiology Test Directory before seeking Consultant microbiology advice.
• Know your patient
1. Name, CHI number and current location
2. Date of admission and working diagnosis
3. Brief relevant clinical history, including current clinical progress and observations
4. Results of relevant diagnostic results e.g. WCC, CRP, eGFR, imaging
5. The dose and duration of current and previous antibiotics, including pre-admission
6. Include any previous microbiology history e.g. MRSA/ESBL/C. difficile, recent culture results
7. Full travel history, if relevant.
8. If allergic to any antibiotic, obtain a clear picture of the nature of the allergic reaction

Remember, the Microbiologist is entirely reliant on the detail and accuracy of the information provided by the referrer - they have no patient notes, observation charts, blood results or radiology reports. Without this it is almost impossible to give meaningful, high quality and safe advice. 

If a patient is unexpectedly deteriorating and/or there is no clear diagnosis, this MUST be discussed with a more senior clinician before asking for microbiology advice

E-mail referrals should include:

• Referrer name, phone number / extension to receive call back
• Patient name, CHI, location
• Name of responsible clinical consultant - must be copied into the e-mail
• Patient summary with relevant clinical details
1. See "know your patient" above
2. If required, a Microbiology referral proforma is available: HERE
• Description of reason for advice request e.g.
1. investigation of infection
2. antimicrobial choice - empirical / definitive / oral stepdown
3. antimicrobial duration, dosing, therapeutic drug monitoring
4. further susceptibilities

E-mail queries and responses must be printed and filed within the patient notes.