Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Bronchial specimen, ear or eye specimen, lung aspirate, sputum, or tracheal aspirate

Bronchial

1. Submit bronchial specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Lung Aspirate

1. Submit lung aspirate in a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Sputum or Tracheal Aspirate

1. Submit sputum or tracheal aspirate collected in the morning upon awakening in a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Specimen should be a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum or tracheal aspirate specimen.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: Expectorated sputum will be screened before culturing for acceptability.

Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Nasal swab

1. Submit CultureSwab or E-Swab, collected by inserting into each nostril, return swab to collection device.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.