Aseptically collect a first-morning specimen as follows:
1. Specimen should be a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum specimen (at least 1 mL), and patient should not have eaten prior to collection. (Saliva is not acceptable.)
2. Instruct patient to gargle with water to remove superficial flora.
3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into a tightly-sealing, screw-capped, sterile container.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: If specimen does not meet criteria for culture, nursing unit or outpatient laboratory will be notified that specimen must be recollected.
Conventional Culture Techniques
Normal upper Respiratory flora.
Monday through Sunday
87070-Culture
87077-Aerobic isolate (if appropriate)
87186-Per organism for routine battery (if appropriate)