Clinical Analisys - Clinical Microbiology unit

The Clinical Microbiology Unit has a multidisciplinary function. Their main activity consists of diagnosing infectious diseases by demonstrating the agent causing these infections in the biological samples collected from the patient. Techniques like antigen detection, staining or direct display provide quick diagnosis. The cultivation and identification of germs, together with an anti-biogram, make it possible discover their sensitivity or resistance to anti-microbial agents and thereby arrive at the most appropriate treatment, with greater therapeutic success.

Meanwhile, this Unit is also responsible for microbiological tests on hospital areas and the isolation of pathogenic germs in those handling food.

Another of its basic functions consists of providing advice to patients, doctors and hospital institutions on all aspects - both clinical and epidemiological - included in its area of expertise.

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES • Cultures • Automatic blood culture system • Automatic ID+ATB system • Automatic mycobacteria system • Optical microscopy • Fluorescence microscopy • Microbiological tests on hospital area environments and surfaces • Legionella antigen • Urine sediment • Selective culture for Streptococcus agalactiae FIELDS OF ACTION • Bacteriology • Mycobacteria • Mycology • Parasitology • Sterility tests on hospital areas and equipment (operating theatres, blood dialysis, etc.) • Epidemiological tests on associated centres (epidemiological reports and resistance maps)