Additional Specimen Collection Information

Bone Marrow:

As collected by a physician or pathologist. Transfer bone marrow aspirate to a SPS vacuum yellow-top tube from which half of the anticoagulant has been removed. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to laboratory immediately after collection.

Bronchial Washings:

Transfer the specimen to a sterile container.Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

Catheter (Foley, CVP, I.V.):

Transfer the specimen to a sterile container. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

Cerebrospinal Fluid:

The specimen must be collected in a sterile container. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Do not add anticoagulant to the specimen. Transport specimen to the laboratory immediately. A Wright or Gram Stain is performed on a Cytospin or direct smear slide.Order a separate Gram Stain.

Cervix:

Transport the Cultureswab specimen collection device used to obtain the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible or within 24 hours of collection. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. If a Gram Stain is needed place a separate order for Gram Stain as this is not typically included in the cervical/vaginal routine.

Deep Wound:

Transfer aspirated material to a sterile container. Do not transport material for culture in the syringe with needle. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory immediately after collection.

Dental Abscess:

Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory within one hour of collection.

Ear External:

Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within one hour of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain.

Ear Internal:

Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within one hour of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain.

Epiglottis:

1. Instruct the patient to sit or lie with head tilted back.
2. Have patient open mouth and stick tongue out.
3. Direct maximum lighting to back of throat.
4. Using a tongue depressor, depress the tongue and swab the epiglottal area using the cultureswab.
5. Remove the swab taking care not to touch other parts of the mouth. Return the swab to the collection device.
6. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection.
7. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Place separate order for Gram Stain.

Eye Conjunctiva:

Manipulate the eyelid to expose eye drainage and collect sample using the Cultureswab. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain.

Eye Other than Conjunctiva:

Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain.

Gastric Aspirate:

Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain.

Nasopharyngeal (NPG) Swab:

Make sure that the patient has no anatomic abnormalities of the nose [deviated septum]. Using the cultureswab NPG collection device and without contaminating the tip, curve the wire of the npg swab to the shape of the nasal passage. Tilt the patient's head back, pass the swab gently through the nose into the nasopharynx, rotate, and remove. Return the swab to the collection device. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the lab within 24 hours of collection.

Nose:

Pass the sterile swab gently into the nose 3-4 cm, rotate and remove. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Pericardial Fluid:

Collect the specimen in a sterile container. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within one hour of collection. Place separate orders for Gram Stain and Anaerobe Culture.

Prostatic Fluid:

Collect the specimen in a sterile container or use a Cultureswab specimen collection device to obtain the specimen. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

Sinus:

Place specimen in a sterile container or use a Cultureswab or Bactiswab NPG specimen collection device to obtain specimen. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. Place separate orders for Gram Stain and Anaerobe Culture.

Small Bowel/Bile Aspirate:

Place in a sterile containter. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible within 24 hours of collection.

Sputum:

If physician orders sputum culture "x 3", collect three separate specimens at three different times during the day or on three consecutive days. Place an order for a separate Gram Stain for each Sputum Culture ordered.

Collect the specimen by one of the following methods:

• Deep breathing and coughing:

1. Obtain in early morning.
2. Have patient rinse out mouth with water, if allowed.
3. Instruct the patient to take a deep breath and blow it out; take another deep breath, hold it, and cough deeply. Expectorate mucous into a sterile container or luki tube.
4. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection.

• Ultrasonic or heated hypertonic saline nebulization:  

Respiratory therapist will assist the patient with deep breathing treatment for 10 to 15 minutes to aid in loosening secretions. Follow collection procedure for deep breathing and coughing.

• Suctioning with use of sputum trap:               

1. Prepare suction equipment.
2. Attach sputum trap between catheter and suction tubing.
3. Provide intermittent suction by placing thumb on and off sputum trap until adequate specimen is collected.
4. When specimen reaches the trap, keep thumb over opening until suction is turned off.
5. Disconnect suction tubing and close opening with small rubber tubing connected to Luki tube.
6. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection.

Transport the specimen to the laboratory within one hour of collection in sterile specimen container or Luki tube.

Superficial Wound:

Determine where the best bacteriological specimen can be collected by observing for fresh drainage or pus. Use a Cultureswab collection device to carefully absorb the pus or discharge.Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain. Transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as convenient, within 24 hours of collection.

Surgical Specimen:

Transfer specimen to sterile container or use a Cultureswab to obtain the specimen. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place a separate order for Anaerobe Culture and Gram Stain. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

Synovial Fluid:

Transfer specimen to sterile container or syringe. Remove needle from syringe before transport. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place an order for a separate Gram Stain. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

Throat/Rectum for GC:

Inoculate plated media [available from the laboratory] or collect specimen with a Cultureswab. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Transport immediately after collection if plated media is inoculated.

Transtrachial Aspiration:

Collect specimen in a sterile syringe. Remove the needle and cap the syringe. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place a separate order for Gram Stain and Anaerobic Culture. Transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately after collection.

Urethra:

Use a Bactiswab NPG collection device to obtain the specimen. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place an order for a speparate Gram Stain. Transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Vaginal Cuff:

Place the specimen in a sterile container or use a Cultureswab collection device to obtain the specimen. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Place an order for separate Gram Stain and Anaerobe Culture. Transport the specimen to the laboratory, within 1 hour of collection.