Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Fluid

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen:   Eye fluid

Collection Instructions:   Aseptically collect eye fluid 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.

Scrapings

Container/Tube:  Screw-capped, sterile container or media supplied

Specimen:  Eye scrapings

Collection Instructions:  Scrapings should be collected by an ophthalmologist at patient’s bedside, and inoculated directly onto media supplied. 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 eye

Collection Instructions:  Collect specimen by swabbing; pass swab 2 times over lower conjunctiva. Avoid eyelid border and lashes. 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.