Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Abscess and aspirate (respiratory sites only): ≥1 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container or 1 ESwab per test request in sterile transport tube.

Bronchial alveolar lavage, bronchial brushing, bronchial washing, or tracheal aspirate: ≥5 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.

Heart valve: heart valve in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Pleural fluid, thoracentesis fluid: ≥1 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Sputum: ≥5 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Tissue and biopsy (respiratory sites only): ≥1 g in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Unacceptable Specimens:

Specimen collected with ESwab Collection Kit is unacceptable if received without fluid or swab in the transport tube

Collection Procedure:

Note: Specimen source is required.

Abscess and Aspirate (Respiratory Sites Only)
1. Disinfect surface of site to be cultured.
2. Aseptically collect purulent material by aspiration or by using an ESwab. Frequently, viable organisms are only associated with abscess wall, so adequately sample this area. If material is aspirated, aseptically inject specimen into a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit.
4. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimens on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Brushing, Bronchial Washing, Transtracheal Aspirate
1. Aseptically collect ≥5 mL.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimens on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Heart Valve
1. Aseptically collect valve.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory.

Pleural Fluid, Thoracentesis Fluid
1. Aseptically collect ≥1 mL of fluid. 
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container. 
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Sputum
1. Aseptically collect early-morning specimen free of oral contamination in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and rinse mouth well with water.
3. Have patient remove dentures.
4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and then cough deeply and vigorously into container. Collect 3 mL to 5 mL of discharged material.
5. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Tissue and Biopsy (Respiratory Sites Only)

1. Aseptically collect ≥1 g of specimen.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.