title: Basic microbiologic support for hospital epidemiology.
abstract: The laboratory plays a major role in the epidemiology program's efforts to minimize nosocomial infections in healthcare institutions. This article will describe some of the interactions between the laboratory and the epidemiology program, and will identify resources and procedures that the laboratory needs to achieve epidemiologic goals.
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Metchock
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D011786:Quality Control; D012703:Serotyping