British Society for Medical Mycology proposed standards of care for patients with invasive fungal infections

Abstract

Outcomes for invasive fungal infections have greatly improved in the past decade, and several new antifungal drugs have been or will be licensed in the next few years. Early accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment have major impact on survival. In a 1995 survey of laboratory practice in the UK for mycology, major disparities were seen, with many laboratories not undertaking even simple diagnostic procedures. Delays in processing and inadequate procedures for handling samples, incomplete or delayed reporting of results, or a combination of these, compromise the care of patients. In randomised trials of antifungal chemotherapy, optimum treatments and good alternatives for others have been defined for some infections. High-quality care requires a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management. In this review, we propose microbiology, histopathology, radiology, and clinical auditing standards, with the evidence base for each reviewed. The standards are absolutes, and, therefore, provide a straightforward basis for improving services to patients if they are all implemented.