Specimen Requirements

Optimal times for specimen collection must be based upon both the type of infectious disease process and ability of laboratory to expertly process specimens. The Microbiology Laboratory is not as well staffed during evening and late night hours. Specimens collected late in the evening often do not produce adequate growth by next morning. STAT testing is available at all times for critical tests including blood cultures, body fluid Gram stains, etc.
 
Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.
 
Submit the following specimens:

Abscess

1. Aseptically collect specimen using a sterile syringe or culture swab.

2. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container or swab in culture transport tube.

3. Label container/tube (not packaging) with patient’s name, physician’s name, date and time collected, initials of collector, and specimen source.

4. Place container/tube in biohazard transport bag.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.

2. Physician request sheet must accompany specimen.