This paper brings out certain guidelines to be followed at the time of despatch of specimens for laboratory investigations. Despatch of pathological specimens to laboratories situated away from the place of collection for investigations is quite a common practice. Often those despatching the specimens are not aware of the procedures. Specimens are packed like any other articles sent by post.

There are two important points to be remembered when pathological specimens are sent for investigations. One of them is preservation of the material so that the specimens reach the laboratory in a condition fit for necessary investigations. The other is the proper packing of the specimens to prevent leakage from or breakage of the containers during transit so that they do not become hazardous to persons handling them. For microscopy, it is better to send fixed smears wrapped in a paper and properly labelled. For culture, specimens should always be sent in a sterile container. It is preferable to send them in ice to prevent overgrowth of contaminants and drying. If the transport time is 3-4 days, they can be sent at room temperature. It is advisable to send bulky liquid specimens and more than one specimen through a messenger instead of by post or as an unaccompanied parcel. In case this is not possible, it will be advisable to send them in more than one parcel depending on the number to be sent instead of sending all specimens as a single parcel.

The National Tuberculosis Institute (NTI), Bangalore was established in 1959 and its bacteriological laboratory started functioning from 1961. For the first few years WHO Experts were involved in the establishment and running of the laboratory but since many years the laboratory is being run only by the national staff.

The laboratory has been involved in research and training since its inception. In order to compare the standard of the various tests done in the NTI laboratory with that of a similar laboratory having some standing in tuberculosis research, a series of comparison studies were done between NTI and the laboratory of the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre, Madras. The results were similar except for variations within normal limits. Besides, some cultures isolated in NTI laboratory were sent to the tuberculosis laboratory of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta (Georgia) U.S.A. for purpose of an inter-laboratory comparison. Forty seven cultures were sent to CDC, of which 38 were M.tuberculosis, 1 rapid grower, 1 H37 RV, 3 M.avium, 2 M.bovis, 1 B.C.G and 1 M.phlei. But for some minor variations in a few biochemical tests, the species classification compared well between the two laboratories. Taking all the results into account and making some allowance for unavoidable variations, it was observed that the standard of bacteriological investigations were similar between all the three laboratories.

This paper deals with the cost of establishing and running a bacteriological laboratory in State Tuberculosis Centres under the National Tuberculosis Programme, and the cost of various examinations to be undertaken in such a laboratory. A knowledge of the cost will enable proper planning and judicious utilization of the resources. Further, when services are rendered to private individuals or institutions, the charges for different examinations can be levied on a rational basis. The place of smear and culture examinations under the programme, the implications of establishing a culture laboratory, the limitations of cost worked out, have been discussed. A plan of the laboratory building is also provided.

The cost has been worked out presuming that about 12,000 specimens per year are likely to be received, of which 25% might turn out to be positives. Non recurring cost was estimated to be Rs.1,07,724 and annual recurring cost would be Rs.49,709. Factors that contribute to the cost structure are overheads, cost of material and labour. In addition, certain essential facilities like cold room, incubator room, gas supply, washing and sterilisation etc., add to the cost. (i) staff-bacteriologist-1, lab technicians-4, lab attendants-3 and registration clerk-1; their salaries, (ii) building-rent (iii) electricity (iv) furniture (v) equipment and supplies (vi) water charges had all been taken into consideration. The cost of one smear examination was estimated to be Rs.0.54 and that of culture and sensitivity test Rs.9.43.