Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of collection.

1. Collect specimen using a culture transport swab. (Improperly labeled specimen or specimen received >24 hours of collection is not acceptable.)

2. Return swab to culture transport tube, and crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note: 1. Patient’s age, sex, clinical diagnosis, collection date and time, current antibiotic therapy, and specimen source are required.

2. Additional swabs must be sent for acid-fast and fungal cultures.