Specimen Required

Sputum:

Collect a first-morning, deep-cough sputum specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

1.   Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs.

2.   Have patient remove dentures.

3.   Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, cough deeply and vigorously into container, and collect 10 mL (minimum volume is 5mL) of discharged material.

4.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

5.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

For best results, submit 3 sputum specimens at 24 hour intervals

NOTE:  Specimen contaminated with saliva is not acceptable

Abscess, Aspirates

Aseptically collect specimen using an eswab for an abscess or sterile needle and syringe for aspirates.  Submit in a sterile container. 

If submitting in a syringe, the needle must be removed prior to transportation

1.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

2.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

Bronchial Lavage, Washing, or Brushing

Aseptically collect bronchial lavage or washing (minimum volume is 5 mL) in a screw-capped, sterile container (collection trap may be used). 

         If collecting for a bronchial brushing, 1ml is an acceptable volume

NOTE: Swab specimen is not acceptable.

1.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

2.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

CSF/Sterile Body Fluids

Aseptically collect at least 1ml of specimen and submit in a sterile container.

1.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

2.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

Tissue

Aseptically collect specimen and submit entire specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container with no fixative.

1.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

2.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

Urine

For best results, a series of 3 morning specimens from 3 consecutive days is recommended.

Collect 5-10mls of first-morning, clean-catch, urine specimen as follows:

                                                                     Males

- Prepare obstetrical cleansing pads by opening packages (do not remove cleansing pads until ready to use), and place them on sink. Take top off of plastic urine container, and set it on edge of sink. Set cleansing pads and container so that they can be reached while urinating.
-  Holding back foreskin with 1 hand, if necessary, use first cleansing pad to wash end of penis.

-  Discard first cleansing pad in wastebasket.
-  Continue holding back foreskin, and gently rinse end of penis using second and third cleansing            pads discarding them inwastebasket when done.

-  Continue holding back foreskin, and begin to urinate into the toilet.

                                                                    Females

-   Prepare obstetrical cleansing pads by opening packages (do not remove cleansing pads until ready to use), and place them on sink.
-   Take top off of plastic urine container, and set it on edge of sink. Set cleansing pads and container so that they can be reached while urinating.
-  Pull panties below knees so they will not interfere with urine collection. With 2 fingers of 1 hand, hold outer folds of vagina apart. With other hand, gently wash vaginal area from front to back, using first cleansing pad.

-   After this step, throw away first cleansing pad in wastebasket.
-   Still holding outer vaginal skin away from opening through which urination takes place, rinse area from front to back using cleansing pad #2, discard, and then repeat with cleansing pad #3.

-   Continue holding outer vaginal folds apart and begin to urinate into toilet. Lean slightly forward so that urine flows directly down without running along skin.

After first few teaspoons, place screw-capped, sterile container under stream and collect urine.
After finishing, tighten cap on container securely and wash any spilled urine from outside of container.

1.   Label container with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital identification number, date and time of collection, collector initials, and test(s) being ordered.

2.   Maintain sterility and forward to the laboratory promptly at ambient temperature.  Refrigerate if transport is delayed.