
I have been asked on many occasions “why do microbiology laboratories not highlight on their reports what of this result is normal and what is abnormal?” Essentially microbiology laboratories report the presence or absence of microorganisms or the immune response to those microorganisms. In order to decide if the result is normal or abnormal requires an understanding of what is going on in that specific patient. Most of the time microbiology laboratories don’t have that information available, partly because request forms are not completed and partly the forms don’t actually allow for a detailed clinical history.