Specimen Requirements

Aseptically collect a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum specimen (minimum volume:  1 mL) from a fasting patient as follows:

1. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.

2. Have patient remove dentures.

3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into a tightly-sealing, screw-capped, sterile container. (Saliva is not acceptable.)

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

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

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Leuken’s trap or sterile tracheal aspirate is also acceptable.