Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Bronchoalveolar lavage, endotracheal aspirate, lung biopsy, sputum, and throat swab

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  Bronchoalveolar lavage

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container 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.

Endotracheal Aspirate

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  Endotracheal aspirate

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container 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.

Lung Biopsy

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  Biopsy of lung

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container 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.

Sputum

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  First-morning sputum

Collection Instructions:  Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs. Have patient remove dentures. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into screw-capped, sterile container. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container 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.

Throat Swab

Container/Tube:  Culture transport tube

Specimen:  Swab of throat

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Label container 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.