Evaluation of CHROMagar Orientation medium for the identification of surveillance cultures: A novel method

Microbiological surveillance helps prevent the spread of potentially pathog enic organisms on high-risk units. This study describes a simple method for identifying aerobic Gram-negative bacilli isolated from a neonatal intensi ve care unit screening programme. The identification scheme combines CHROMa gar with three commonly used laboratory tests and multipoint technology. Th e procedure produced identical results when compared with an established id entification method (Mast ID) over a three-week period. Financial evaluatio n suggests that significant cost savings could be achieved with the new sch eme.