Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Bronchial Washings and Suctional Sputum
1. Aseptically collect 5 mL to 10 mL of fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Send specimen refrigerated if specimen storage is >1 hour.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Sputum

Aerosol-Induced
1. Collect 5 mL to 10 mL from an early-morning specimen on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. Induce cough by inhalation of warm, aerosolized, sterile sodium chloride solution and collect aerosol-induced specimen.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Send specimen refrigerated if specimen storage is >1 hour.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Deep Cough
1. Collect 5 mL to 10 mL from an early-morning specimen on at least 3 consecutive days (1 per day) in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.

B. Have patient remove dentures.

C. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into container and collect deep-cough specimen.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Send specimen refrigerated if specimen storage is >1 hour.
Note:  1. Nasal secretion, saliva, or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.
2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.