Media and Reagents Section
The
key to identification of pathogenic bacteria and other organisms is the media
used for initial isolation. Continued cultivation and identification also
require appropriate media as does maintenance of stock cultures used in quality
control. Preparation of culture media for laboratory use is a procedure which
requires precision, accuracy, and attention to purity and sterility which
are considerations for the laboratory. The accuracy of test results is directly
proportional to the quality of media that is utilized by the individual section.
The Media Section is requested to prepare many items that are highly specialized
and that are not available from any other source.
There are more than 600 items in the Media and Reagents Program recipe data
base. An exhaustive study was conducted in 1995 as to the cost effectiveness
of the Media and Reagents Program and data was collected which indicated that
savings of over $260,000 per year are realized by the laboratory by preparing
media and reagent items "in-house." In addition, the program can
respond in a very timely manner to "stat" requests, and in support
of sections dealing with outbreaks which occur. With rapid advances in technologies
and instrumentation, culture media and reagents remain some of the most reliable
and cost effective tests in microbiology today.
Glassware that is used by the laboratory must be scientifically cleaned and/or sterilized. Assurance must be such that articles are free from any contaminates, films, residues, etc. Again, the necessity of chemically clean glassware and other articles is essential to the overall quality control in the laboratory. The Glassware Area maintains quality standards.
The Media Section is charged with the additional responsibility of distilling contaminated ethyl alcohol for the Cytology Section. If this material had been shipped as hazardous waste, and new alcohol purchased, the laboratory would have incurred additional costs.
Infectious waste generated in the laboratory by program areas is treated in-house by Washroom staff resulting in additional savings to the laboratory.
The Media and Reagents Program staff are trained, knowledgeable professionals who are dedicated to providing all residents of South Carolina with excellent customer service.