The original publication is available at http://www.cmej.org.za/index.php/cmejThe quality of a laboratory report is influenced by many variables
such as the quality of the specimen collected, the time of transporting
the specimen to the laboratory and the provision of appropriate
and correct information on the laboratory request form to guide
the laboratory in processing and interpreting the culture results.
The laboratory procedures are quality controlled to guarantee
relevant, reliable, timely, and correctly interpreted reports that will
guide patient management. However, poor-quality specimens may
lead to misleading results, inappropriate antimicrobial therapy and
delay in diagnosis
