Collection and Transportation of Microbiology Specimens

Abscess

Abscess material may be collected using the Culturette System, Port-A-Cul system or a sterile
syringe and needle. The Culturette System is used only for superficial lesions. This type of
specimen will not be cultured for anaerobes. Abscess specimens will only be processed for
anaerobes if collected using either the Port-A-Cul system or a syringe and needle. Specimens
collected using a sterile syringe and needle must not be transported with the needle on the
syringe. Needles must be carefully removed and properly discarded and the syringe cap
aseptically replaced on the syringe tip. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's
name, medical record number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected.
Specimens are transported at room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of
collection.
Body Fluids

Body Fluids include; abdominal fluid (ascites fluid/peritoneal), amniotic fluid, pericardial fluid,
pleural fluid, and synovial fluid. Specimens are collected using a sterile syringe and needle.
Generally, a minimum of 2 mL of specimen is required. Specimens collected using a sterile
syringe and needle must not be transported with the needle on the syringe. Needles must be
carefully removed and properly discarded and the syringe cap aseptically replaced on the syringe
tip. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record number,
location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at room
temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Bronchial Aspirates - please refer to Sputum Bronchial Brushings

Bronchial brushes are aseptically placed into a screw-cap tube containing 0.5 mL of 1%
casamino acid. Specimens must be labeled with the patient's name, medical record number,
location, and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens transported at room
temperature must reach NHRMC lab within 2 hours of collection. Alternatively, specimens are
transported at refrigeration temperatures and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of
collection.
Bronchial Washings - please refer to Sputum
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

Specimens are collected into a sterile, screw-cap container. Specimen containers must be labeled
with the patient's name, medical record number, location, and the date and time the specimen
was collected. Specimens transported at room temperature must reach NHRMC lab within 2
hours of collection. Alternatively, specimens are transported at refrigeration temperatures and
must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Catheter Tips (Intravascular)

Catheter tips are collected into a sterile, screw-cap container. Specimen containers must be
labeled with the patient's name, medical record number, location, and the date and time the
specimen was collected. Specimens transported at room temperature must reach NHRMC lab
within 2 hours of collection. Alternatively, specimens are transported at refrigeration
temperatures and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Cerebrospinal fluid is collected into sterile, screw-cap tubes or containers. A minimum of 2 mL

is required. Specimen containers must be labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location, and the date and time the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported
at room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 4 hours of collection.
Cervix (please refer to Endocervix)
Ear (External Canal)

Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at
room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Endocervix (culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at
room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Eye - please refer to Ear (External)
Feces (Stool)

Specimes are collected into a clean, leak-proof container (tight fitting lid or screw - cap). All
specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record number, location and
the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at refrigeration
temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.

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Feces (Toxin Assay for Clostridium difficile)
Specimes are collected into a clean, leak-proof container (tight fitting lid or screw - cap). All
specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record number, location and
the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at refrigeration
temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.  This test is molecular and
only one test per patient is needed since it is highly specific and highly sensitive.  Testing will
only be performed on samples that meet the criteria for toxigenic C. difficile infection (diarrheal
or unformed stools only).
Intravascular Catheter Tips - please refer to Catheter Tips (Intravascular)
Nose (Nasal)

Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at
room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Rectal Swab

Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at
refrigeration temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Sputum

Specimens are collected in a sterile, screw-cap container. A minimum of 2 mL must be collected.

Recommended volume is between 5 and 10 ml. All specimens must be properly labeled with the
patient's name, medical record number, location and the time and date the specimen was
collected. Specimens transported at room temperature must reach NHRMC lab within 2 hours of
collection. Alternatively, specimens transported at refrigeration temperature must reach NHRMC
lab within 8 hours of collection.
Stool - please refer to Feces (Stool)
Throat (Group A Strep antigen detection)

Throat swabs are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture
ampule must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name,
medical record number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens
are transported at room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Throat (Group A Strep culture) - please refer to Throat (Group A Strep antigen detection)
Tracheal Aspirate - please refer to Sputum Tracheal Swab

Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens transported at
room temperature must reach NHRMC lab within 2 hours of collection. Alternatively, specimens
transported at refrigeration temperature must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Urethra (culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
Specimens are collected using the Culturette system. Following collection, the moisture ampule
must be crushed. All specimens must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record
number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens are transported at
room temperature and must reach NHRMC lab within 8 hours of collection.
Urethra (LCR for Chlamydia trachomatis)
Specimens are collected using the LCx STD Swab Specimen Collection and transportation Kit.
Do not use the large-tipped cleaning swab for specimen collection. Swab specimens that are
moderately bloody or grossly mucoid must not be tested as these levels of blood and mucus may
interfere with the assay. Each specimen tube must be properly labeled with the patient's name,
medical record number, location and the time and date the specimen was collected. Specimens
are transported at either room temperature or refrigeration temperature and must reach NHRMC
lab within 8 hours of collection.
Urethra (LCR for Neisseria gonorrhoeae) - please refer to Urethra (LCR for Chlamydia
trachomatis)
Urine

Specimens are collected in a sterile, screw-cap container.  A minimum of 10 mL is required.

Each specimen tube must be properly labeled with the patient's name, medical record number,
location and the time and date the specimen was collected. For additional formation, please see:
Collection, Transportation and Handling of Urine Specimens.

Unpreserved specimens are transported at room temperature and must reach the laboratory
within 2 hours of collection.

Chemically preserved specimens are transported at room temperature and must reach the
laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Specimens may be preserved refrigerated and must reach the laboratory within 24 hours of
collection.