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:

Miscellaneous

1. Obtain specimen from infected site.

2. Place specimen 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 at ambient temperature only.
Note:  Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.

Vaginal

1. Wipe away excessive amount of secretions or discharge.

2. Collect secretions from mucosal membrane of vaginal vault with a sterile swab.

3. Unscrew cap of transport tube, insert swab into transport tube containing 1 mL of sterile saline, and break swab at score line. Replace cap securely making sure swab fits into cap, and then screw on cap until it clicks into place.

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

5. Place tube in biohazard transport bag.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  Specimen source and site are required on request form for processing.