Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:  BACTEC^TM MYCO/F LYTIC bottle (red label)

Specimen:  1 mL to 5 mL of blood (Optimal recovery when 3 mL to 5 mL is obtained in a BACTEC^TM MYCO/F LYTIC bottle.)

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Choose vein to be drawn by touching skin before it has been disinfected.

2. Cleanse skin over venipuncture site in a circle approximately 5 cm in diameter with 70% alcohol, rubbing vigorously.

3. Starting in center of circle, apply 2% iodine (or povidone-iodine) in ever-widening circles until entire circle has been saturated with iodine. Allow iodine to dry on skin for at least 1 minute. Timing is critical; a watch or timer should be used.

4. If site must be touched by phlebotomist after preparation, phlebotomist must disinfect fingers used for palpation in identical fashion or must palpate through a sterile glove.

5. Insert needle into vein and withdraw blood. Change needle and clean tops of bottle(s) with 70% alcohol before injecting blood into culture bottles. Do not overfill bottles.

6. After needle has been removed, site should be cleansed with 70% alcohol again as many patients are sensitive to iodine.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note:  Label bottle with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.