| Source |
Collection Requirements |
Special Instructions |
| Abscess: Lesion, Wound, Pustule |
Swab (culturette) |
Should be received into laboratory within 24 hours of collection. |
| Bone |
Place bone fragments in culture swab or call lab. |
Should be received into laboratory immediately. If longer duration, place bone fragments in BHI broth and Thio. broth. |
| Blood, Bone Marrow or Body Fluids |
Blood Culture bottles or Microbiology Tube (Contact lab for instructions or to request blood culture bottles.) |
DO NOT USE EDTA. Should be received into laboratory within 2 hours of collection. Hold at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. |
| Cerebrospinal Fluid |
Sterile tube, plain, no additives |
DO NOT USE EDTA. Should be received into laboratory ASAP. |
| Ear |
Swab (culturette) |
Should be received for plating within 24 hours. |
| Fecal/Rectal Swab |
Fecal in sterile leakproof container or Swab (cultuerette) |
Refrigerate at 4 C until pickup within 24 hours. |
| Vaginal/Urethra |
Swab (culturette) |
Should be received into laboratory within 24 hours. |
| Hair, nails, skin scraping for fungal culture |
Material in sterile container |
Received by laboratory within 24 hours. Room temperature. |
| Respiratory Tract or Tracheal Wash |
Swab (culturette) |
Received by laboratory within 24 hours. |
| Tissue |
Swab (culturette) and/or tissue in sterile container |
Should be received ASAP |
| Urine |
Sterile Container/Tube |
Stable 24 hours. Refrigerate at 4 C. |
