Chemical pre-screening of urines submitted for bacteriological analysis
Brown, H.
Medical Laboratory Sciences 45(4): 304-307
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0308-3616 PMID: 3077422 Document Number: 306383
A total of 2230 random urine samples submitted to a clinical microbiology department for routine analysis were examined to evaluate a dip strip screening process with a view to eliminate unnecessary work on 'negative' samples. Of these 1209 (54%) gave negative results to nitrite, blood, protein and leucocyte esterase. There was a high predictive value (99%) for negative cultures. Adoption of this system would reduce the workload substantially without a drop in reporting standards, and enable reports of 'negative' urines to be issued the same day.