How long should microbiology samples be stored after the final report?

Microbiology samples should be stored for a limited duration after final reporting to ensure that the specimens can be utilized for additional testing or verification if necessary. Storing them for one day is generally a standard practice because it provides a brief window for retesting. This short retention period aligns with the need for timely results in many clinical situations, allowing healthcare providers to make informed decisions quickly based on the most current information.

Longer retention periods, like 7 days or 30 days, may not be necessary for all microbiological specimens, and indefinite storage would be impractical due to storage constraints and the potential for degradation of the samples over time. Therefore, the one-day retention window strikes a balance between ensuring potential follow-up testing and managing storage effectively.