Specimen Required

For collection of sputa, the patient is instructed to cough deeply into a sterile container.  An early morning sputum is the specimen of choice.  For best recovery of organisms, 3 separate specimens collected over 3 consecutive days are submitted.

For sputum, the patient should vigorously rinse his/her mouth with sterile water 3 times prior to collection.  Dentures should be removed.  Oral antiseptics must be avoided prior to specimen collection.

Sputum, expectorated or induced; Endotracheal aspirate, Bronchial wash, lavage or brush.
Sterile container; Luken trap

Sterile Collection Cup

Specimen should be obtained before patient starts antimicrobial therapy.

• Sputum: Collect early morning specimen if possible into sterile container.
• Bronchial: Collected by physician during bronchoscopy.

Expectorated sputa or endotracheal specimens from oncology, cystic fibrosis patients, NICU, or those
who are neutropenic/immunosuppressed will be accepted for culture with the following condition: 

THE DIAGNOSIS MUST BE NOTED ON THE ORDER AND PLACED IN SREQ WHEN THE CULTURE IS ORDERED