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V P Ackerman

Publications and source records attributed to V P Ackerman.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Reporting practices of microbiology laboratories.

Results of investigations on typical specimens were circulated to Australian microbiologists, who were asked to draft reports on the basis of the data provided. Many laboratories were found simply to report the results of their activities without explanations. This was true whether the finding was that of a Gram-negative rod in a postoperative sputum or an anaerobic diphtheroid in a blood culture. There was diversity of views as to what constituted probable contamination in a urine specimen. Often no clearcut verdict was given, nor did the report indicate when no conclusion was possible. Remedial measures are discussed.

Australia↗
PubMed1980

Primary antibiotic sensitivities by a replicator method.

A replicator method of carrying out primary sensitivity tests on urine specimens is described. The results are compared with conventional sensitivity tests. Of 438 specimens examined, the procedure indicated a suitable antibiotic in all but 7 and yielded an incorrect result likely to mislead in 14 instances, in each case accompanied by several correct sensitivity reports. Results are available within 24 hours.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1979

Consumer survey on microbiology reports.

5 typical microbiology reports were circulated to the medical staff of a 900-bed teaching hospital and they were asked for their interpretations. Approximately 160 completed replies were received and it was clear that the reports were often misinterpreted; one report (isolation of a gram-negative rod from sputum) was misinterpreted by four doctors out of five. The reasons for this failure of communication seem to be the use of jargon and unfamiliar names of bacterial species, and use of ill-defined reporting conventions. The omission of a clear-cut conclusion from many reports also contributed to misunderstanding. These deficiencies in reporting practices result in unnecessary antibiotic therapy and unnecessary work for the laboratory, since clinicians are more likely to ask for a repeat of a test with a doubtful interpretation. Communications with clinicians would be more effective if microbiologists ensured that each report is free of jargon, states what conclusion can be drawn from the test, and makes recommendations, where appropriate, for antibiotic therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Assessment of workload in the microbiology laboratory.

Workload measurement is necessary for laboratory management and planning. Adaptation of the College of American Pathologists' scheme to the requirements of a large clinical microbiology laboratory is described. Our method of applying basic work values is simpler and the calculation of workload is easily adapted to take account of alterations in laboratory method. The resulting system of workload measurement can be instituted without undue effort.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibiotic resistance in Australia with special reference to sulbactam/ampicillin.

A survey of antibiotic resistance in Australian states was undertaken by the Microbiology Quality Assurance Program of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. Data were obtained from hospitals and private pathology laboratories serving both in-patients and out-patients at community hospitals. The study showed that resistance varied from state to state; it was highest in the Eastern states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, and lowest in Tasmania and Western Australia. In South Australia, isolates of Escherichia coli demonstrated a high degree of cefoxitin resistance. Western Australia and Tasmania showed high levels of gentamicin resistance for Klebsiella spp., as well as trimethoprim resistance in Proteus mirabilis. The relationship between erythromycin resistance and clindamycin resistance also differed among various states. These studies demonstrated the activity of sulbactam/ampicillin against a wide variety of common pathogenic bacteria in which resistance was mediated by beta-lactamase.

Ampicillin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro studies of ciprofloxacin and survey of resistance patterns in current isolates.

We studied the activity of ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics against both routine and multiresistant (multi-R) clinical isolates. Ciprofloxacin inhibited more than 98% of most species of Enterobacteriaceae at a concentration of 2 micrograms/ml. Only Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and to a much lesser degree, Providencia and Serratia, were resistant. Most Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were susceptible. Only 1% of staphylococci were resistant; the test panel included 1200 MRSA. For most species of streptococci, the MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml; for enterococci, it was 2 micrograms/ml. We also surveyed resistance in our current isolates. Resistance to ciprofloxacin has increased in A. calcoaceticus and Providencia, and in Streptococcus pneumoniae and group B streptococci. Ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates tended to show increased resistance to other antibiotics, including aminoglycosides and, later, cephalosporins.

Acinetobacter↗