Investigation of microbial keratitis: an audit from 1988-1992

An audit was performed of the investigation of 263 cases of microbial keratitis severe enough to be admitted to the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital over the 5-year period, 1988-1992. A pathogen isolation rate of 37% was noted during the first year which increased to 79% (p < 0.05) by the final year of audit. In late 1991 a new method of inoculating enrichment broths was introduced, which also contributed by increasing the yield from corneal scrapes. The audit process resulted in the development of and adherence to our investigation protocol, improved communication between Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and the microbiology laboratory, the implementation of a new investigatory method, and a significantly improved microbial isolation rate.