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 30 minutes of collection.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Cervix
1. Do not use lubricant.
2. Utilizing a speculum, remove mucus and/or secretions from cervix with swab(s). Discard these swab(s).

3. Avoid touching swab to uninfected mucosal surfaces.
4. Sample endocervical canal firmly yet gently with a sterile swab.

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

6. Place tube in biohazard transport bag.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.