Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Females

Bartholin Specimen
1. Disinfect skin with iodine preparation. Aspirate 1 mL of fluid from ducts.
2. Place specimen into Anaerobic Transport System.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Cervix

1. Remove mucus and secretions from cervix, and discard swab.

2. Firmly, yet gently, sample endocervical canal with a newly obtained swab.

3. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Cul-de-sac

1. Submit 1 mL of aspirate or fluid.
2. Place specimen into Anaerobic Transport System.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Endometrium

1. Collect transcervical aspirate via telescoping catheter.

2. Place entire amount into Anaerobic Transport System.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Lesions

1. Clean lesion with sterile saline and lesion surface with a sterile scalpel blade.

2. Allow transudate to accumulate.

3. While pressing the base of the lesion, firmly sample exudate with a sterile swab.

4. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Products of Conception

1. Submit a portion of tissue in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. If specimen is obtained by cesarean delivery, immediately place specimen into Anaerobic Transport System.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Urethra

1. Collect specimen 1 hour after patient has urinated.

2. Remove exudate from urethral orifice.

3. Collect discharge material on a swab by massaging urethra against pubic symphysis through vagina.

Note:  If no discharge can be obtained, insert a urethrogenital swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra, and rotate swab for 2 seconds.

4. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Vagina

1. Collect specimen 1 hour after patient has urinated.

2. Wipe away excessive amount of secretion or discharge.

3. Obtain secretion from mucosal membrane of vaginal vault with a sterile swab or pipette.

Note:  For intrauterine devices, place entire device into a screw-capped, sterile container.

4. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Males

Lesions

1. Clean lesion with sterile saline and lesion surface with a sterile scalpel blade.

2. Allow transudate to accumulate.

3. While pressing the base of the lesion, firmly sample exudate with a sterile swab.

4. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Prostate

1. Cleanse glans with soap and water.

2. Massage prostate through rectum.

3. Collect fluid on a sterile swab or in a screw-capped, sterile container.

4. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Urethra

1. Insert a urethrogenital swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethral lumen, rotate swab, and leave it in place for 2 seconds to facilitate absorption.

2. Place swab into Anaerobic Transport System.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.