Surveillance of hospital environments for Aspergillus species:
| |
Specimen type |
Sampling and culture for Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi in hospital environments |
Optimal time of specimen collection |
No specific time. Surveillance during hospital construction, maintenance, demolition and renovation, water damage, faulty air filtration and conditioning, and outbreaks |
Correct specimen type and method of collection |
Air samples, settled dust, surface samples, material samples |
Quantity and number of specimens |
Minimum: one air sample and one dust sample from patients’ rooms and general hospital areas. More intensive sampling where reservoir of Aspergillus is most likely to occur. |
Laboratory analysis |
Culture of air samples, culture of dust and material samples |
Transport |
Culture plates: as per Microbiology guidelines
On-site sampling, air sampling plates and material samples transported directly to RMLM |
Turnaround time |
5 days |
Indicative cost per sample |
Sampling by RMLM staff: £10.90 per hour.
Culture and identification: £18.21 per sample plate. |
|
