GUIDELINES FOR SPECIMEN COLLECTION & TRANSPORT
I. SPECIMEN SELECTION
- Samples for culture should be representative of the disease process. Tissue should be obtained from the edge of the lesion where microbial replication is most likely to be active.
II. SPECIMEN COLLECTION
- Proper site preparation is critical to ensure correct culture interpretation and should be nothing short of a surgical prep. Many etiologic agents can also be found as normal flora in the healthy host. This “background noise” of normal flora can distort culture interpretation as well as overgrow and obscure the true pathogen.
- Collect a sample size sufficient for the tests desired. A swab should never be submitted over biopsy material, fluid, urine, or tissue. Inadequate specimen may yield false negative results.
- Samples should be collected before administration of antimicrobial agents, if possible.
III. TRANSPORT
- Specimen amount and the rapidity of transport to the laboratory influence the test results. Samples should be submitted individually in separate sterile, water-tight containers.
- Use the proper transport devices to protect the specimen and maximize culture interpretation for treatment. Port-A-Cul Vials and tubes provide the greatest flexibility for fluids and tissues/swabs, respectively. These devices will support aerobes, anaerobes, and fungi.
- Fecal samples should be submitted in a screw-capped specimen cup (3 grams to one half full for Large animal submissions and 1 gram for small animal submissions). Submit as quickly as possible (<1 day) and keep cool.
- All specimens must be shipped overnight with a cool pack except for dermatophytes, blood cultures, and specimens for isolation of Pythium species or zygomycetes.
IV. PATIENT INFORMATION
- On the submission form, identify tests desired and provide as much history as possible; indicate any known or suspected pathogen(s). This information increases the probability that significant results will be recognized and properly interpreted.
Specimen rejection policy: If a specimen is compromised due to improper collection, transport or storage: it will be rejected. Please note that rejection is not a criticism, but is meant to prevent the generation of results that are clinically irrelevant or misleading.
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