Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Ear, nasopharynx, throat, vagina, cervix
Container/Tube: Culturette swab
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically.
Additional Information: Specify exact specimen site. 

Specimen Type: Body fluids (pleural, synovial, or peritoneal)
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically per provider protocol.

Additional Information: Specify exact specimen site.

Specimen Type: Drainage, exudate, or pus
Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:
1. Collect specimen aseptically.
2. Using sterile needle and syringe, aspirate material from undrained abscesses.
3. Remove needle, cap syringe, label and transport.
Additional Information: Specify exact specimen site.

 
Specimen Type: Respiratory specimen other than sputum (tracheal aspirate, lung biopsy, or bronchoscopy specimen)
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically.
Additional Information: Specify exact specimen site.

Specimen Type: Spinal Fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Collect as much spinal fluid as possible.
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically per provider protocol.

 
Specimen Type: Sputum, fresh, early morning
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 5-10 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect it in the early morning.

2. If necessary, have patient remove dentures and rinse mouth.

3. Sputum should be the result of a deep cough (not saliva) or should be induced by aqueous aerosol.

Specimen Type: Tissue
Container Type: Sterile container

Collection Instructions:
1. Collect tissue aseptically from the center and edge of the lesion.
2. Place specimen between moist gauze squares, add a small amount of sterile saline and send immediately to the laboratory.
3. Keep refrigerated for no more than 8 hours at 4° C until processed.

Additional Information: Specify exact specimen site.

Preferred Specimen Type: Urine, early morning, catheterized urine

Acceptable Specimen Type: Urine, clean-catch, midstream specimen when aspiration or cystoscopy cannot be done.
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically.

Additional Information: Specify exact method of collection.

Specimen Type: Vaginal material
Container/Tube: Several sterile culture swabs
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically.

Specimen Type: Hair, affected hairs with the shaft intact

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 10-12

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen with forceps.

Specimen Type: Nails, material or debris from under the nail

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Wipe the nail with 70% alcohol using gauze (not cotton).

2. Clip away a generous portion of the affected area.

Additional Information: Indicate exact specimen site.

Specimen Type: Skin scrapings
Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Cleanse the affected area with 70% alcohol.

2. Gently scrape the surface of the skin at the active margin of the lesion, being careful to not draw blood.

Additional Information: Indicate exact specimen site.