Culture, Upper Respiratory

Submit only 1 of the following specimens: 
 
Ear
Container/Tube: Culture transport container
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of fluid or 2 swabs
Collection Instructions:
      External: 1. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic. 2. Swab, scrape, or aspirate specimen from active margin, preferably including fresh secretion from deeper areas. 3. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container. 4. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 5. If a syringe is used, replace needle with a sterile, rubber cap prior to transporting to CoxHealth Laboratories. 6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection. 
     Internal:  1. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic. 2. Insert sterile funnel and swab or aspirate specimen from eardrum or beyond. 3. If eardrum is not perforated, specimen should be collected by a physician trained in this procedure. 4. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container. 5. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Topical ointments or drugs in or on site to be cultured must be avoided.

Eye
Container/Tube: Culture transport container
Specimen Volume: Swab and scrapint
Collection Instructions: 
    1. Take swab for culture before application of topical anesthetics because topical anesthetics possess antimicrobial activity. Take corneal scraping after application of anesthetics.
     2. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.
     3. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline.
     4. Collect specimen by swabbing.
     5. Pass moistened swab 2 times over lower conjunctiva.
     6. Avoid eyelid border and lashes. (Culture these separately in a similar fashion, if indicated.)
     7. Scraping: A. Scraping should be done by an ophthalmologist. B. Use local anesthetic and platinum spatula. C. Rub spatula with scrapings gently over small area on slide. D. If too dry, use very small amount of sterile water.
     8. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container.
     9. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 
    10. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Note: Specimen source is required.

Nasopharynx
Container/Tube: Culture transport container
Collection Instructions: 1. Remove cap with swab attached. Holding swab between thumb and forefinger of 1 hand and sheath in other hand, give soft wire a 10° to 20° bend. This slight curve fits nose better, making procedure more comfortable for patient. 2. Slide swab along floor of nose (hand down by patient’s chin to start swab) with very light pressure to nasopharyngeal wall. 3. Rotate swab and remove along floor of nose. 4. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container. 5. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Note: Specimen source is required.

Sinus
Container/Tube: Culture transport container
Collection Instructions: 1. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Note: Specimen source is required.

Throat
Container/Tube: Sterile transport container
Collection Instructions: 1. Remove cap and swab from container. 2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible. 3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch tongue. 4. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well. 5. In 1 continuous motion:
           A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
           B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there.
           C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
           D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab.
6. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container. 7. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation. 8. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Note: Specimen source is required.