Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Any closed abscess, aspirated body fluid, lower respiratory secretions obtained by percutaneous transtracheal aspiration, sinus tract, tissue, urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration with needle and syringe, uterine cavity, or wound (deep)

Unacceptable Specimens:

Catheter tip; prostatic secretions; gingival or nasopharyngeal swabs; single-channel bronchoscope or gastric washings; skin ulcers; sputum; superficial skin lesions; surgical drain sites; throat; or voided urine; Genital : Vaginal or Cervical specimens, vaginal secretions, products of conception passed through the vaginal canal; Fecal: Stool, small bowel contents, ileostomy, colostomy drainage, any area with fecal contamination.

Specimen source is required.  Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Body Fluid: abdominal, ascitic, bile, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, serous fluid, or closed abscess.

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport vial

Acceptable: Capped syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Disinfect overlaying skin with chlorhexidine gluconate.
2. Using needle and syringe, aspirate fluid.
3. Transfer entire volume of aspirated fluid to anaerobic transport vial.
4. If submitting specimen in syringe, remove needle and cap syringe.
5. Label vial/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection.

Specimen Type: Deep wound or abscess

Container/Tube: ESwab collection kit

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline.
2. Break surface of wound. Pass swab deep into abscess and sample lesion’s advancing edge, taking care to avoid contamination with other normal flora
3. Insert the swab into the tube and break the swab shaft at the breakpoint indicated by the colored line marked on the swab shaft.
4. Discard the remaining broken portion of the swab shaft. Replace cap on the tube and secure tightly.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date, actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Tissue biopsy

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport vial

Acceptable: Capped syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect tissue by surgical excision.
2. Transfer tissue to an anaerobic transport vial.
3. Label vial/container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Transtracheal aspirate

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport vial

Acceptable: Capped syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:  (Specimen should be collected by trained professional)

1. Prepare site.
2. Aseptically collect secretions by percutaneous transtracheal aspiration.
3. Transfer entire volume of secretions to vial.  If submitting specimen in syringe, remove needle and cap syringe.
4. Label vial/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection.

Specimen Type: Urine (suprapubic aspirate)

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport vial

Acceptable: Capped syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: 10-15 mL

Collection Instructions:  (4 to 6 hours should have elapsed since last urination)

1. Clean suprapubic skin with iodine followed by alcohol.
2. Insert 22-gauge needle attached to a 20-mL syringe into skin at about a 30° angle to abdominal wall, immediately superior to the symphysis in midline.
3. Aspirating as one penetrates, stop as urine is obtained; fill syringe with urine (infants may require a smaller syringe and needle).
4. Transfer urine to anaerobic transport vial.  If submitting specimen in syringe, remove needle and cap syringe.
5. Label vial/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection.

Specimen Rejection:

Unacceptable specimen sources include: Catheter tip; prostatic secretions; gingival or nasopharyngeal swabs; single-channel bronchoscope or gastric washings; skin ulcers; sputum; superficial skin lesions; surgical drain sites; throat; or voided urine; Genital, Vaginal or Cervical specimens, vaginal secretions, products of conception passed through the vaginal canal; Fecal: Stool, small bowel contents, ileostomy, colostomy drainage, any area with fecal contamination