Specimen Required

Sputum, Expectorated:

**Early morning collection is recommended**

1.  Rinse mouth with sterile saline or water to gargle prior to collection.  Do not use nonsterile water to avoid the introduction of contaminating microbiota

2.  Instruct the patient to not expectorate salive or postnasal drainage into the container

3.  Collect expectorated sputum by coughing into the sterile container and secure lid

Sputum, induced:

**Induced sputum to be collected by Respiratory Therapy**

1.  Brush buccal mucosa, tongue, and gums with sterile water for 5-10 minutes prior to collection

2.  Using a ultrasonic nebulizer, have the patient inhale 20-30 ml of 3%NaCl

3.  Collect induced sputum specimen into a sterile container and secure lid.

Tracheal Aspirates/Trans-tracheal aspirates:

**Collected by Respiratory Therapy, Physician, or trained medical professional**

1.  Submit in either Luken Tube or sterile container.

Bronchial specimens-Bronchial washing, Bronchial lavage:

**Collected by bronchoscopy and performed by pulmonogists, intensivists, or other trained personnel**

1.  Submit in sterile container

Bronchial Brushing:

**Collected by bronchoscopy and performed by pulmonogists, intensivists, or other trained personnel**

1.  Submit in sterile vial containing a1ml of nonbacteriostatic saline

Lung Aspirates/Lung tissue

**Collection performed by pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, and/or interventional radiologist**

1.  Submit in sterile container with nonbacteriostatic saline