Add a Culture Test

Updated 09 October 2026 14:48

Step 1

Select the Specimens option from the main menu.

Note: The visibility of main menu options is determined by menu permissions. For more information about configuring menu permissions, see: Understanding Menu Permissions.

Step 2

Select the target specimen by clicking anywhere on the specimen row except for the action icons.

Step 3

Select the "eye" icon, or double-click, on the required specimen row to view the specimen record; then, if not already visible, scroll down to see the Cultures table.

Note: Options to add or manage culture tests will only be available (visible) if the current user's role has the requisite permissions AND the specimen is in an appropriate state. For example, culture test options would not typically be available in the "Pending Approval" state.

Note: If the culture table is empty, you will need to add a culture first, before you can add culture tests to it. See: Add a Culture.

Step 4

Select the "eye" icon on the required culture row to view the culture record. Then select the Culture Tests option at the top of the screen.

Step 5

A form will appear that displays any previously added culture tests as "cards" (boxes containing summary details) and a single action card (with the same size and shape as the other cards) inviting you to add a new test. If only the latter card appears, it means no tests have yet been added. Select the "Add new tests for culture" card. A new form will appear showing the culture tests currently available for selection.

Step 6

Move the corresponding toggle switch position to the right for any test(s) you wish to be added to the culture. Then select Save. The previous form will reappear, this time with summary cards for the new test(s) you have just added.

If you had already carried out one or more of the new tests before adding them to the system, you can click on the corresponding card to enter the results. A test specific form will appear. The image below shows an example form for the Catalase Test, built into the system by default.

The form content will vary with test type, and may represent a custom test for your environment. Enter the results and select Save. When the Culture Tests form reappears, the test you just edited will turn green and show a status of "Completed".

If you have not yet carried out the test(s) you have just added, simply select the Close button. You can enter the results later, either with the same method described from step 4 onwards, or by selecting the Edit Test action for the appropriate test in the Culture Tests table within the culture record view (see <link>Edit a Culture Test<link> for more details).