Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect the specimen in a sterile, leak proof container. Do not use Cultureswab specimen collection device used for aerobic cultures. 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 in a sealed, leak proof container within 1 hour of collection. If specimens cannot be transported to the laboratory within one hour, please refrigerate and keep specimen cool while transporting to the laboratory.  

• Sputum: Collect a series of 3-5 single specimens collected early in the morning from a deep productive cough. A volume of 5-10 mL is required. Pooled specimens are not acceptable. 
• Gastric Washings: Gastric washings are collected on patients unable to produce sputum. Three consecutive specimens of 5-10 mL, collected in a sterile container from a fasting patient in the early morning are superior to a single aspirate. Since gastric contents are toxic to acid-fast bacilli, specimens must be processed within 4 hours of collection. 
• Urine: Collect 40 mL (minimum 10 mL) of the first morning urine into a sterile urine container. Refrigerate the specimen within 1 hour of collection. Microbiology will send to State Hygienic Laboratory for testing.
• Tissue: Collect tissue specimen asceptically and transport to the laboratory immediately. 
• Stool: Pass the stool into a clean, dry container or bedpan. Do not allow urine to  contaminate the specimen in the collection container. 
• Body Fluids: Collect asceptically. 
• Bronchial Washings, Aspirates or Brushings:  Collect in a sterile container. 
• Blood: Collect in SPS (yellow-top) tube. Microbiology Dept will send to the State Hygienic Laboratory for testing.
• Bone Marrow: Collect in SPS (yellow-top) tube. Prior to the bone marrow procedure, prep the top of the yellow-top vacuum tube with an alchol wipe. Using a sterile needle and syringe, remove approximately half of the liquid from the tube. Immediately after marrow aspiration, and before any other samples are aliquotted, dispense a portion of the aspirate into the tube with a sterile transfer device. Leave sufficient amount of aspirate in the syringe for smear preparation, referred testing and clot sections. Microbiology Dept will send the specimen to the State Hygienic Laboratory for testing.