Microbiology Consult 🦠
Guide for microbiology consultation and referral. Key information to provide, common indications, and referral scripts for NCHDs.
📋 Key Info to Have Ready
- Patient identifiers: full name, DOB, location, and MRN
- Clinical context: suspected/confirmed infection site (e.g. pneumonia, UTI, line sepsis, endocarditis)
- Relevant symptoms: duration of fever, rigors, focal symptoms
- Past medical history: immunosuppression, prior infections, allergies (especially to antibiotics)
- Current antibiotics: names, doses, start dates
- Microbiology results: blood cultures, wound swabs, urine cultures, sputum, etc.
- Recent imaging: CXR, CT, US relevant to infection
- Comorbidities that influence infection (e.g. diabetes, CKD, prosthetic devices)
🔎 Investigations to Know
- Blood cultures: number of sets, when taken
- Urine dip and cultures
- Sputum, wound, or line tip cultures
- FBC, CRP, U&Es, LFTs
- Relevant imaging (e.g. CXR, CT abdo/pelvis)
- Any positive microbiology already on file
📞 Example Script
- Hi, this is [Your Name], the intern from the [Team Name]. I'm calling to request a microbiology consult for a [Age]-year-old [M/F] with suspected [infection type], who has been spiking temperatures since [timeframe].
- They're currently on [list current antibiotics], but still febrile and growing [organism] in blood/urine/sputum cultures.
- They have a background of [PMH], and imaging shows [e.g. consolidation in RLL].
- We're seeking advice on antimicrobial management or further investigations.
- Let me know if you'd like additional cultures or imaging before review.
📝 Tips
- Have culture and sensitivity results available
- Know duration and response to antibiotics
- Clarify allergies before calling
- Be prepared to discuss source control if needed (e.g. drain abscess, remove line)