title: The impact of specimen management in microbiology.
abstract: Because the way specimens are collected and handled may directly affect the outcome of microbiological analysis, appropriate specimen management is critical to ensuring laboratory effectiveness and an acceptable turnaround time. Specific guidelines on specimen collection are necessary for optimal use of microbiology services.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000592:standards; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States