Standards of care for patients with invasive fungal infections within the United Kingdom: a national audit

Objective The objective of this study was to audit the compliance and implementation of the British Society for Medical Mycology standards of care for patients with invasive infections in UK hospitals. Methods A multidisciplinary audit questionnaire regarding the processing of microbiology and histopathology specimens, radiology imaging and clinical management of patients with invasive fungal infections was distributed to UK hospitals. Results The study has shown that speciation of Candida and Aspergillus isolates from sterile sites was performed in 42–98% of hospitals. Microscopy of bronchoscopy specimens was not undertaken in 13 of 62 (21%) laboratories. Cryptococcal culture and antigen were undertaken routinely in abnormal CSF in 40–75% and 31–83% of at-risk patients but only in 12% of abnormal CSFs in patients without risk factors. Detailed fungal morphology was provided by