Specimen Requirements

All appropriate specimens collected to exclude indigenous flora and those from normally sterile body sites are acceptable for culture. Tissue or aspirated fluid is superior to swab specimen.

Acceptable Specimens:

Abscess, bites, body fluid, boil, cyst, surgical specimens, and wound not open to air

Unacceptable Specimens:

Cervical, pus, sputum, stool, and vaginal

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Aspirated Fluid

1. Obtain specimen from a source not normally colonized by anaerobes.

2. If a syringe is used, exclude any air and replace needle with a sterile, rubber cap prior to transport to laboratory.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Swab

1.Collect the specimen from the affected area using the swab provided in the BD ESwab Collection and Transport System. Be sure not to touch below the red breakpoint line to avoid contamination.

2. Aseptically unscrew and remove the cap from the tube.

3. Insert the swab into the tube and bend the swab shaft at the breakpoint indicated by the red line marked on the swab shaft against the tube to break the shaft. Discard the broken handle part of the swab shaft.

4. Replace the cap on the tube and secure it tightly.

5. Aerobic culture is always set up with an anaerobic culture. 

6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

            ESwab is acceptable up to 48 hours after collection

Tissue

1. Obtain tissue from a source not normally colonized by anaerobes.

2. Place tissue in a screw-capped, sterile container. Keep tissue moist with sterile fluid.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.