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.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Fluid

1. Obtain fluid from infected site.
2. Place fluid in 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:  Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.

Swab

1. Obtain specimen with sterile swab from infected site.

2. Place swab in culture 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 tube in biohazard transport bag.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.

Tissue

1. Obtain tissue from infected site.

2. Place tissue in 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:  Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.