[Microbiological examination of patients hospitalized in Aarhus municipal hospital]

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate 1) the nature, extent and relevance of the microbiological examination performed before institution of antibiotic treatment, 2) the relevance of the instituted treatment in the light of the microbiological findings or clinical diagnosis of infection. A minimum of requirements concerning microbiological examination was put forward for each clinical diagnosis of infection. Among patients with the diagnosis of sepsis, cystitis or pneumonia, 33%, 80% and 6.5%, respectively, fulfilled the minimum requirements, no attempt at microbiological examination was performed in 4.8%, 10%, and 32%, respectively. There is a need for education in relevant use of clinical microbiology e.g. samples related to focus of infection, and more consistency in the use of microbiological results.