Basic Concepts for Micro Specimen Collection 1.

Universal precaution guidelines must be followed for collection and transport of all specimens. Specimens should be placed in tightly sealed containers; the containers should be free of any external spillage, and the specimens should be transported in bags. 2. Collect the specimen from the actual site of infection, avoiding contamination from adjacent tissues or secretions. 3. Collect the specimen at optimal times (i.e. early morning sputum for AFB culture). 4. Collect a sufficient quantity of material. 5. Use appropriate collection devices: sterile, leak proof specimen containers. Use appropriate transport media. (Anaerobe transport system Amies or Stuarts for bacterial cultures, Cary-Blair for stool culture, M4 for viral and chlamydia cultures.) 6. Whenever possible, collect specimens prior to administration of antibiotics or antivirals. 7. Properly label the specimen including the date, time, and initials of collector. The source of specimen is required. 8. Minimize transport time. Maintain an appropriate environment between collection of specimens and delivery to the Laboratory. 9. If appropriate, decontaminate the skin surface. Use 70-95% alcohol (ALC) and 1-2% tincture of iodine (TIO) or chloroprep containing chlorhexidine gluconate 2% and isopropyl alcohol 70% to prepare the site. Allow a contact time of two minutes to maximize the antiseptic effect. 1. During specimen collection wear gloves, laboratory coat and, where appropriate, a mask and/or goggles. 2. Use leak-proof containers and plastic zip-lock transport bags that have a separate outside compartment for the test requisition form. 3. Make sure screw-cap lids are fastened evenly and securely. Insure that no label material is caught in the threads of the lid. 4. Do not transport leaking containers to the laboratory because test results will be compromised and it is a hazard to couriers and laboratory personnel. 5. To protect the safety of others take care not to contaminate the outside of the specimen container or the laboratory requisition form. 1. Clearly label the specimen container with the patients name, date of collection, and Medical Record Number. 2. Check with the patient to make sure that you are collecting/drawing the right person. Verify patients name with the test requisition and container label. 1. Avoid indigenous flora that may overgrow or obscure the true disease agent. 2. Select the correct site and use the proper collection techniques. 3. Collect an adequate volume of specimen. 1. Optimally, specimens for bacterial culture should not be stored for more than 24 hours before transport to the laboratory. Refer to the collection tables for optimum transport conditions.

2. Shigella spp, Neisseria spp. and Haemophilus influenzae (which are sensitive to cold temperatures) should not be refrigerated.. 3. Store sputum, bronchial wash, urine and external ear specimens at 4C. 4. Store JEMBEC plates inoculated for Neisseria gonorrhea testing at 25C. 5. Never refrigerate genital, eye or internal ear specimens. 6. If clinic personnel transport specimens, correct conditions must be maintained during transport and specimens must be transported according to the Department of Transportation regulations. >>1-swabs from different infected sites
eg; ear , throat, skin 2-urine culture 3-stool culture 4-blood culture 5-throat washings 6-serum to test the presence of antibodies against microbial antigens

transport medium
n A medium for transporting clinical specimens to the laboratory for examination.

medium
pl. media, mediums [L.] 1. an agent by which something is accomplished or an impulse is transmitted. 2. a substance providing the proper nutritional environment for the growth of microorganisms; called also culture medium.

basic nutritive medium one adequate for the growth requirements of most bacteria. contrast medium a radiopaque (positive) substance, or (negative) gases used in radiography to permit visualization of body structures. culture medium a substance used to support the growth of microorganisms or other cells. dioptric medium refracting medium (see below).

disperse medium, dispersion medium the continuous phase of a colloid system; the medium in which a colloid is dispersed, corresponding to the solvent in a true solution. enriched medium modification of a basic medium for the growth of fastidious bacteria. Common additions are blood, serum or egg yolk. indicator medium a type of bacteriological medium which may contain a fermentable sugar plus a pH indicator that gives a color change. It is used to identify bacteria on the basis of a characteristic biochemical reaction. refracting medium the transparent tissues and fluid in the eye through which light rays pass and by which they are refracted and brought to a focus on the retina. medium sausage a technique for examining meat for bacterial contamination. The solid medium is made up in the form of a sausage and slices are removed from it after application of the exposed end to the suspect meat. selective medium formulated to facilitate the isolation of specific bacteria, they contain substances to inhibit growth of others. transport medium formulated to preserve a specimen, usually tissue or microbiological swab, and minimize bacterial overgrowth for the time necessary to transport it to the laboratory.