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.

Note:  1. If possible, inoculate Thayer-Martin plate at patient’s bedside.

2. Submit streaked plates for off-site collections or delayed shipments in sealed Bio-Hazard Bag with CO₂ generator obtained from laboratory.

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.

Rectum
1. Insert a sterile swab approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond anal sphincter.
2. Gently rotate swab to sample anal crypts.
3. Avoid fecal contamination as much as possible.

4. Place swab in culture transport tube.

Note:  1. If possible, inoculate Thayer-Martin plate at patient’s bedside.

2. Submit streaked plates for off-site collections or delayed shipments in sealed Bio-Hazard Bag with CO₂ generator obtained from laboratory.

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.

Throat

1. Use a tongue depressor to depress tongue.
2. Sample posterior pharynx, tonsils, and inflamed areas with sterile culture swab.
3. Avoid touching cheeks, lips, tongue, and uvula.

4. Place swab in culture transport tube.

Note:  1. If possible, inoculate Thayer-Martin plate at patient’s bedside.

2. Submit streaked plates for off-site collections or delayed shipments in sealed Bio-Hazard Bag with CO₂ generator obtained from laboratory.

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

6. Place transport tube in biohazard transport bag.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

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

2. When using sterile swab(s), follow instructions on swab packaging. In some instances, only 1 sterile swab is used to collect specimen. In these instances, discard remaining swab.

3. Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours at ambient or refrigerated temperature. Increased storage times can compromise culture results. If culture is requested on a specimen that exceeds transport/storage requirements, it will be noted in the report.

Urethra
1. Cleanse external urethra before collecting urethral specimen.

2. Insert a wire-shafted swab 2 cm to 4 cm into the urethral lumen.

3. Avoid touching swab to uninfected mucosal surfaces.
4. Rotate swab, and leave in place for at least 2 seconds.
5. Place swab in culture transport tube.
Note:  1. If possible, inoculate Thayer-Martin plate at patient’s bedside.

2. Submit streaked plates for off-site collections or delayed shipments in sealed Bio-Hazard Bag with CO₂ generator obtained from laboratory.

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

7. Place tube in biohazard transport bag.

8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

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

Other sources
1. Sample site with sterile swab(s) or submit specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

Note:  1. If possible, inoculate Thayer-Martin plate at patient’s bedside.

2. Submit streaked plates for off-site collections or delayed shipments in sealed Bio-Hazard Bag with CO₂ generator obtained from laboratory.

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

3. Place tube/container in biohazard transport bag.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

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

2. Maximum storage of specimens is 24 hours at ambient temperature.
3. When using sterile swab(s) follow instructions on swab packaging. In some instances, only 1 sterile swab is used to collect specimen. In these instances, discard remaining swab.