Genital Culture/Bacteria/Yeast

Cervix
1. Do not use lubricant during procedure.
2. Wipe cervix clean of vaginal secretion and mucous.

3. Rotate a sterile swab and obtain exudates from endocervical gland.

4. If no exudate is seen, insert a culture swab into endocervical canal and rotate swab.

5. Place swab in a sterile culture transport tube.
6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Prostatic Massage
1. Perform a digital massage through rectum.
2. Collect specimen with a culture swab system.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urethral (Females)
1. Collect specimen 1 hour or more after patient has urinated.
2. Stimulate discharge by gently massaging urethra against pubic symphysis through vagina.

3. Collect discharge with a culture swab.

4. If discharge cannot be obtained, wash external urethra with Betadine® soap and rinse with water. Insert a urethrogenital swab 2 cm to 4 cm in endourethra, gently rotate, leave in place for 1 to 2 seconds, withdraw, and push applicator swab into transport tube.

5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urethral (Males)
1. Collect specimen at least 2 hours after patient has urinated.

2. Insert a thin, urethrogenital swab 2 cm to 4 cm into endourethra, gently rotate, leave in place for 1 to 2 seconds, and withdraw.

3. Place swab in a sterile culture transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Vaginal

Specimens are also useful in detection of group A streptococci in children.

1. Use a speculum without lubricant.
2. Collect secretion from mucosa high in vaginal canal with culture swab.

3. Place swab in a sterile culture transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

No yeast isolated