Culture, Sputum

If culture is a poor specimen the ordering physician will be notified and the culture discontinued. If the culture is positive, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility will be performed at an additional charge. For diagnostic purposes, clinical specimens should be collected before the initiation of therapy since even a few days of treatment may render the culture negative. Day(s) Test Set Up: Monday through Sunday

SPTC

Submit one of the following specimens: Expectorated 1. Collect an early-morning specimen (minimum: 5.0 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows: 2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contamination specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs which may inhibit the growth of pathogens. 3. Have patient remove dentures. 4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, cough deeply and vigorously into container, and collect expectorated material. Induced 1. Collect an early-morning specimen (minimum: 5.0 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container. 2. Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline, and collect expectorated material. Note:  Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water. Indicate on request form if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.

Sterile leakproof container

Refrigerate

Nasal secretion, saliva and 24-hour collection is not acceptable.

Useful for the detection of potential aerobic pathogens of the lower respiratory tract.