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.

Acceptable Specimens:

Nasopharyngeal aspirate, nasopharyngeal swab, and nasopharyngeal washing specimens

Testing is performed as specimens are received. Specimen should be transported as soon as possible. Always use proper infection control procedures when handling patient specimens.

Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection and  cannot be collected by laboratory personnel.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Nasopharyngeal Washing

1. Instruct patient not to swallow during procedure.
2. Hyperextend patient’s head (approximately 70° angle). Suction approximately 4 mL of sterile, normal saline into a sterile bulb. (Bloody specimen is not acceptable.)
3. Insert bulb into nostril.
4. Instill saline into nostril with 1 squeeze of the bulb, and immediately release bulb to collect recoverable nasal washing.
5. Empty bulb into a screw-capped, sterile container.
6. Repeat above steps on the other nostril.

7. Label container with patient’s name, physician’s name, date and time collected, initials of collector, and specimen source.

8. Place container in biohazard transport bag.

9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Maximum storage of specimens is 48 hours refrigerated, as long as the specimen is maintained in transport media (saline, Amies, etc.).

Alternate:

Nasopharyngeal Aspirate

1. Aspirate 3 mL to 4 mL (minimum volume:  0.5-1 mL) of nasopharyngeal aspirate. (Bloody specimen is not acceptable.)
2. Transfer aspirate to a screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Label container with patient’s name, physician’s name, date and time collected, initials of collector, and specimen source.

4. Place container in biohazard transport bag.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Maximum storage of specimens is 48 hours refrigerated, as long as the specimen is maintained in transport media (saline, Amies, etc.).

Nasopharyngeal Swab

1. Insert a foam tipped nasopharyngeal swab beneath inferior turbinate of either nare and vigorously rub and roll against mucosal surface. (Bloody specimen or calcium alginate swab is not acceptable.)

2. Place swab into an empty swab transport tube.

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

4. Place transport tube in biohazard transport bag.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Maximum storage of specimens is 48 hours refrigerated, as long as the specimen is maintained in transport media (saline, Amies, etc.).