Quantitative Cultures: Do Numbers Count?
Originally Presented: November 19, 2008
Speaker: Rebecca Horvat

Summary of Session: This conference will examine the utility of quantitative cultures techniques. It will also address the importance of identifying situations when the number of bacteria places the patient at a higher risk of serious complications. This presentation will also give details on performing a quantitative bacterial cultures and how to interpret and report the results.

Objectives: Upon completion of this Teleconference, participants should be able to:

• Define clinical circumstances in which quantitative culture may be requested
• Describe the process of setting up and interpreting a quantitative culture from tissue and fluid specimens
• Evaluate when a quantitative culture would be useful in making clinical decisions
• Interpret results of clinical specimens that have been cultured quantitatively

Intended Audience: This presentation will be directed toward medical technologists who work in a hospital clinical microbiology laboratory

CME Disclosures: The Presenter has nothing to disclose.

Termination of CME Credit: This program will not be eligible for CME credit after November 19, 2009