Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

5-10 mL; minimum 1 mL 
For volumes < 0.5mL, add fluid to Eswab liquid transport. Do not send swab.

For volumes less < 0.5 mL, collect with Eswab. Check expiration date on transport device before use. See Microbiology Collection Appendix for collection instructions and use of ATM. When collecting specimen, take precaution to avoid contamination with normal bacterial flora.

Use skin disinfection procedure as appropriate.

Immediately transport all specimens to the laboratory to optimize bacterial recovery.

Room temperature.

ATM or ESwab < 72 hours. 
Sterile container or tube: ASAP, < 1 hour optimal.

Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Improperly collected specimens. Expired transport device. Grossly contaminated specimens. Delay in transport or transport at the wrong temperature.

No growth.

Isolation, identification and semi-quantitation of aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Semi-quantitation of normal flora, if appropriate. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply. An additional fee for specimen concentration will be applied.

Optimal microbiology practice and recommendations indicate that a Gram stain is to be performed on all anaerobic culture specimens. For this reason, a Gram stain is included at an additional charge on all specimens for anaerobic culture.

Anaerobe, aerobic, culture, bursal fluid culture, fluid culture, ROUT, ANAR, SYNFLC

Use to detect the presence of bacteria from a normally sterile specimen type. The best quality specimen is aseptically collected, avoiding contamination with superficial microorganisms.