Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brush, bronchial washing, or tracheal aspirate: ≥5 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.

Pleural or Pericardial fluid: ≥1 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Sputum: ≥5 mL in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Tissue: ≥1 g in leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Unacceptable Specimens:

Specimen collected with ESwab Collection Kit is unacceptable

Collection Procedure:

Note: Specimen source is required.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Tracheal Aspirate
1. Aseptically collect ≥5 mL.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimens on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Bronchial Brush

1. Place brush in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container with 2 mL of sterile saline.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

3. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.

Pleural or Pericardial Fluid
1. Aseptically collect ≥1 mL of fluid. 
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container. 
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Sputum
1. Aseptically collect early-morning specimen free of oral contamination in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and rinse mouth well with water.
3. Have patient remove dentures.
4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and then cough deeply and vigorously into container. Collect 3 mL to 5 mL of discharged material.
5. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.

Tissue

1. Aseptically collect ≥1 g of specimen.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and transport promptly to the laboratory. Delayed transport will result in overgrowth by commensal bacteria. If being transported from a remote site, place specimen on ice. For extended transport time (>1 day) freeze specimen and transport on dry ice.