FROM GIGO TO KABA - OR HOW TO PROGRESS TO WARDS THE RATIONAL USE OF MICROBIOLOGY

In the era of cost containment in health care, medical microbiology al so faces the challenge of cost-effective use of microbiological diagno stics. However, problems do not arise primarily within the laboratory during analysis of clinical specimens, but also during the pre-analyti cal stage, i.e. indication, sampling, storing and transporting of micr obiological samples. This situation is emphasized drastically by the a cronym GIGO,,,Garbage In, Garbage Out''. To overcome this unsatisfacto ry situation both clinicians and microbiologists have to improve commu nication and collaboration which is the basis for the rational diagnos is of infection and therapy. Examples of inadequate microbiological in vestigations together with the correct use of blood cultures are given .