Specimen Requirements

Specimen source is required. 

Do not refrigerate.
 

See Microbiology Specimen Collection Guidelines in Special Instructions for additional information.

Submit only 1 specimen per day from same site.

Unacceptable Specimens:

Swab specimen

Amniotic fluid must arrive within 15 minutes of collection.

Specimen Type: Amniotic Fluid

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Obtain fresh, uncontaminated amniotic fluid by transabdominal amniocentesis. (Swabbing or aspiration of vaginal membrane is not acceptable.)

2. Aseptically transfer amniotic fluid to device or vial.
3. Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of collection.

Specimen Type: Bartholin cyst

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:

1. Disinfect skin with 2% tincture of iodine.

2. Aspirate fluid from ducts using a needle and syringe.

3. Aseptically transfer fluid to device or vial.
4. Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Closed abscess or surgical aspirate

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:

1. Collect pus/aspirated material using needle and syringe.

2. Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
3. Aspirate deepest portion of abscess with sterile needle and syringe or catheter. Do not allow air bubbles to enter syringe.
4. Aseptically transfer all material to device or vial.
5. Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Additional Information: Sampling of surface area can introduce colonizing bacteria not involved in infection process.

Specimen Type: Cul-de-sac

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:

1. Aspirate fluid from cul-de-sac.

2. Aseptically transfer fluid to device or vial.
3. Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Endometrium

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:

1. Collect transcervical aspirate via telescoping catheter.

2. Aseptically transfer fluid to device or vial.
3. Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Products of conception-Lochia is not acceptable.

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions: Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Prostate

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:

1. Clean glans with soap and water.

2. Massage prostate through rectum.

3. Collect fluid in sterile container.

4. Label container with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Tissue biopsy

Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or vial
Specimen Minimum Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions: Label device/vial with patient’s name, identification number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
Additional Information: Sampling of surface area can introduce colonizing bacteria not involved in infection process.