Bacteriological Examinations and Methods

1.• to describe the morphology and physiology of micro-organisms (structure, physiology, genetics, properties, classification of micro-organisms, pathogenicity and virulence factors, pathogenic activity and basic pathological processes of micro-organisms); • to describe the human microbiota; • to describe the basics of micro-organism genetics and molecular examination methods in microbiology; • to classify antimicrobial groups, including disinfectants, describe their directions and mechanisms of action, mechanisms of resistance of micro-organisms to antimicrobial agents of different groups and principles of treatment of infections of different body systems, organs and tissues with antimicrobial agents depending on the causative agent; • to describe the basic principles of infectious disease epidemiology and public health, methods of epidemiological surveillance and analysis, as well as the mechanisms of spread of infections and measures to prevent them in the medical treatment facility; • to organise the work of the microbiology laboratory and quality system maintenance in accordance with standards of the Republic of Latvia and ISO standards.

1.• to prepare laboratory documentation, manipulations included in the specialty regulation (pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phase sections included in microbiology methods: collection of samples for microbiological examinations, microscopy, preparation of culture media, testing, work with reference cultures, establishment and maintenance of a micro-organism bank, incubation of samples and evaluation of micro-organism growth results, obtaining a pure culture, identification of micro-organisms by conventional, phenotypic, automated and genetic methods); • to select methods for determining antibacterial sensitivity and resistance mechanisms: conventional and automated, use of epidemiological and clinical borderline concentrations in the evaluation of results based on antimicrobial sensitivity results obtained from testing; • to evaluate the technologies and equipment used in the microbiology laboratory for diagnosis (facilities, measuring instruments, laboratory supplies, reagents, etc.); • to organise sterilisation, disinfection and disposal of microbiological waste; • to justify the procedure for drawing up new instructions; • to justify the ways of implementing the principles of quality control in the organisation of microbiology laboratory work; • to develop interaction and communication skills in collaboration with colleagues; • to develop the ability to advise other medical practitioners on the results of laboratory examinations, thereby contributing to the treatment of infections.

1.To carry out testing of various biological materials (blood, faeces, urine, exudates, sputum, wound material, etc.) with morphological, chemical, biochemical, physical, immunological, serological, microbiological and molecular biological examination methods to determine the presence of bacteria, their products and structural elements and quantity in the material under examination, perform sensitivity testing against antimicrobial agents and advise doctors on the evaluation of the obtained results of microbiological examinations and the use of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of infections and, if necessary, in epidemiological analysis.