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Out of Hours Repertoire During the out of hours period, the Laboratory will undertake examination of normally sterile body fluids and other specimens where the results of the microscopy, culture, antibody or antigen detection are needed for the immediate management and treatment of the patient. Urine microscopy is not performed at night. Dipstrips are available which detect blood, protein, nitrites and leucocytes. A negative nitrite and leucocyte esterase effectively excludes urinary tract infection. Specimens with abnormalities that suggest UTI can be stored in boric acid bottles (red capped) overnight and delivered to the Microbiology Department for culture the following morning. Gentamicin and Vancomycin assays may be performed in the evening and at week-ends, but every effort should be made to arrange these assays during normal working hours. Please check the page for each assay for full details. |