The COVID19 pandemic has shifted the paradigm of how outpatient clinics are delivered within CF care, resulting in a significant reduction of patient visits to CF centres. One consequence of this has been a reduction in the number of sputa/cough swabs that patients submit for routine analysis. This report examines why it is important to maintain optimal sputum microbiology and explores (i). the microbiological efficiency of postal submission of sputum specimens from the community and (ii) the regulatory conditions that must be met through postal submission of respiratory specimens. Virtual clinics have now been established within CF care and it is incumbent on each speciality within the CF MDT to explore ways to nurture and support their individual contribution to the success of the virtual clinic. Within microbiology, adopting innovative approaches to sputum collection in the community and transportation via postal services will allow for continued microbiological vigilance thereby supporting patient safety.

COVID19 大流行改变了在 CF 护理中提供门诊诊所的模式，导致患者到 ​​CF 中心就诊的次数显着减少。这样做的一个结果是减少了患者提交进行常规分析的痰液/咳嗽拭子的数量。本报告探讨了维持最佳痰微生物学的重要性并探讨 (i)。邮寄社区痰标本的微生物效率，以及（ii）邮寄呼吸道标本必须满足的监管条件。虚拟诊所现已在 CF 护理中建立，CF MDT 内的每个专业都有责任探索培养和支持他们个人为虚拟诊所成功做出贡献的方法。在微生物学中，