Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Aspirate

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:  Aspirate

Collection Instructions:  Aseptically collect ear aspirate and inject 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.

Swab

Container/Tube:  Culture transport tube

Specimen:  Swab of ear

Collection Instructions:  Obtain specimen from surface of ear using culture swab. 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.