Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
 

Induced

1. Fill ultrasonic nebulizer with 10 mL of 3% sterile sodium chloride solution.
2. Seat patient in front of nebulizer.
3. Turn on nebulizer and note strong flow of nebulizer saline from end of flex tubing.
4. Instruct patient to put end of flex tubing inside lips and inhale aerosol slowly and deeply.
5. Instruct patient to cough deeply and expectorate 2 mL of sputum into a screw-capped, sterile container.
6. 24-Hour sputum collection is not acceptable.
7. “Deep” cough specimen, not saliva, must be collected for an adequate evaluation.
8. Any specimen containing >25 epithelial cells per low-power field will be rejected because of oral contamination.
9. If patient cannot expectorate sputum, 5 to 10 minutes of chest percussion may be administered to stimulate cough and sputum production.
10. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
11. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient or refrigerated temperature.
12. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Spontaneous

1. Instruct patient to cough deeply and expectorate 2 mL of sputum into a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. 24-Hour sputum collection is not acceptable.
3. “Deep” cough specimen, not saliva, must be collected for an adequate evaluation.
4. Any specimen containing >25 epithelial cells per low-power field will be rejected because of oral contamination.
5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient or refrigerated temperature.
7. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.