Specimen Requirements

• Specimen Type: Arterial line, central line, central venous pressure, intravenous, Hickman-Broviac hyperalimentation, peripheral, Swan-Ganz, or umbilical.
• Container/Tube (Preferred): Sterile container
• Acceptable: Only 5 cm TIP of catheter is acceptable. Urinary foley catheters are unacceptable.
• Specimen Volume: 5 cm TIP of catheter
• Collection Instructions: 

1. Cleanse skin around catheter with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Allow to dry
2. Aseptically remove catheter, being careful to avoid contamination with normal flora from skin or other body surfaces.
3. Remove 5 cm tip and place in sterile container.
4. Label container with 2 patient identifiers and source (type of catheter tip).