Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Skin Scraping
1. Clean skin with 70% alcohol.
2. Scrap advancing edge of lesion with a sterile, glass
slide into a screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), 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.
Sputum
1. Collect a
first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum
specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.
Do not add alcohol or preservatives.
2. Cough induction by inhalation of a saline aerosol is
acceptable.
3. 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.
4. Have patient remove dentures.
5. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it
momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into container,
and collect 5 mL to 10 mL of discharged material.
6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), 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.
Vaginal Swab
1. Obtain specimen from infected site.
2. Insert a culture swab into vagina or
swab endocervix.
3. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube, and crush ampule
to ensure specimen preservation.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date
and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature
only.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Microscopy
An interpretive report will be provided.
Monday through Sunday
Available STAT
87220