• Raghava Potula, MHA, PhD, Medical Director
• Kaede Ota-Sullivan, MD, Associate Medical Director

The general goal of the Microbiology/Immunology rotation in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is to develop competence and knowledge in clinical microbiology and immunology. Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at Temple University Hospital is composed of the specialty areas of bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, virology, and diagnostic immunology. This period of training is designed to acquaint residents and to provide capability for reliable interpretation of clinical microbiology and immunology laboratory data, assisting clinicians in the interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility data and aiding in the selection of antibiotic therapy. On completion of this rotation the residents will acquire sufficient understanding of the theoretical, technical, and clinical aspects to aid them in making proper policy and operational decisions in the future.

Service Responsibilities/Rotation Structure

The basic rotation includes learning:

1. proper specimen selection and collection
2. basic principles and procedures for the isolation and identification of microbial pathogens
3. the performance and interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility tests (where applicable)
4. necessary requirements for internal quality control as well as internal and/or external proficiency testing
5. communication and interpretation of laboratory test results with correlation of the available clinical data

Approximately 12 weeks will be spent rotating through the various areas and working at the laboratory bench. A Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Conference is held weekly which includes topics such as specific organisms, management of the laboratory, and other issues relating to Clinical Microbiology and Immunology. The weekly microbiology “plate” rounds are tailored to provide a forum for teaching and clinical correlation, to provide opportunities to understand diagnostic laboratory algorithms, to observe microbial culture and cases. 

The resident also interacts with the Infection Control Department and other clinical services.  Elective time may be spent, in special circumstances (upon approval of the Director of Pathology Residency Program), at institutions that provide experience supplemental to the training received at Temple University Hospital.  As residents progress through the program, they may assume increasing responsibilities.  For example, they may take part in managerial activities of the clinical microbiology laboratory, lead the clinical microbiology laboratory rounds and rotate on the Infectious Disease Service. In addition, residents are strongly encouraged to participate in applied or basic research projects and clinical case summaries.

As with all other Clinical Pathology rotations, self-instruction will form an essential part of the resident’s learning experience.  Readings and review of patient material will provide the basis for discussions with and instruction by the attendings. During the third block of the rotation, the Resident will be expected to assist in clinical consultations.