Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Aspirate
1. Collect 2 mL of aspirated specimen using sterile technique.
2. Transfer specimen to a sterile container.
3. Label container with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Sputum
Expectorated
1. Collect an early-morning specimen (minimum volume:  2 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. Have patient remove dentures.

B. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs which may inhibit growth of mycobacteria.

C. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into container and collect 2 mL of discharged material. (Nasal secretion, saliva, or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.)

2. Label container with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Induced
1. Collect an early-morning specimen (minimum volume:  2 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline, and collect expectorated material.
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water.
2. Saprophytic mycobacteria in tap water may produce false-positive culture or smear results.
3. Indicate on request form if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.
4. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

5. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.