Microbiology Specimen Collection & Transport Guide
General / Swabs
Specimens are only acceptable for processing when they are collected and submitted to our laboratories appropriately.
If you have questions regarding the type of container to use for a particular test or specimen, refer to the specimen requirements outlined on the Test Directory.
For assistance or more details regarding the information provided, please contact Client Services.
Specimen Collection & Transport
This swab is acceptable for:
- Abscess & Wound Culture with Stain (WCUL)
- AFB Culture & Stain (AFC)
- BK Virus Quantitation, Urine (UBKQT)
- Body Fluid Culture (BFCUL)
- Bronchoscopy Culture (BALCSM)
- Catheter Tip Culture (CTCUL)
- COVID-19 lower respiratory samples (ITCOVD)
- Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Culture (CFRCUL)
- Cytomegalovirus, Qualitative – Urine (CMVQL)
- Fungal Culture, Non-Dermal (FCULSM)
- Lactoferrin, Stool (STLWBC)
- Legionella Detection by PCR (LEGPCR)
- Respiratory Culture (RCULST)
- Tissue Culture (TISCUL)
- Urine Culture if <4 mL (URCUL)
Use this container for sputum, tissue, fluid, and specimens that do not have an indicated specific transport container.
This swab is acceptable for:
- Abscess & Wound Culture with Stain* (WCUL)
- Anaerobe Culture* (ANACUL)
- Bacterial Vaginosis Scored Gram Stain & Candida Smear (BVCNSM)
- Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Culture (CFRCUL)
- Ear Culture & Stain* (EARCSM)
- Eye Culture & Stain* (EYECSM)
- Fungal Culture, non-dermal sites* (FCUL, FCULSM)
- Group A Strep PCR (GASPCR)
- MRSA / S. aureus Culture Screen (MRSASC, SANSAL)
- Throat Culture (THRCUL)
- VRE Culture (VRESC)
* Fluid or tissue submitted in a sterile container is preferred for eye, ear, fungal, and wound cultures.
ESwab™ generates 1 mL of patient sample, providing a uniform sample for culture and reducing the need to collect multiple swabs.
UTM is shelf-stable for up to one year, and can be stored at ambient temperature; however, once the specimen is inoculated, it must be refrigerated.
This swab maintains virus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma specimens.
Transport at 2–8°C.
UTM is shelf-stable for up to one year, and can be stored at ambient temperature; however, once the specimen is inoculated, it must be refrigerated.
Review Nasal, Nasopharyngeal, & Oropharyngeal Swab Collection Instructions on how to collect specimens with this swab.
Transport at 2–8°C.
Culture & Sensitivity (C&S) Urine Transport Kit
Sterile Urine Transport Container
This container is preferred for:
- Urine Culture (URCUL)
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
Specimen Collection Instructions
Transfer ≥ 4 mL of the urine specimen from the cup to the gray tube using the transfer straw by following these instructions:
1. Submerge the tip of the transfer straw into the urine specimen.
2. Push the gray top C&S preservative tube into the transfer straw.
3. Fill to the line on the tube (4 mL); hold the tube in position until the flow stops.
4. Remove the tube from the straw.
5. Shake the tube vigorously to mix the sample.
This container is required for:
- HPV DNA Detection by PCR (HPVHRT)
Collect specimen using a plastic spatula, brush, or brush-like device.
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
This kit is required for:
- Fecal Occult Blood Test (IFOBT)
Stool submitted in a specimen cup will be rejected.
Specimen Collection Instructions
1. Cover the grooved end of the collection stick with stool.
2. Replace the collection stick in the vial.
3. Secure cap tightly.
4. Write the patient’s name and collection date on the vial’s label. Do not cover the cap or foil end with a label.
5. Send the specimen to the laboratories for testing with the provided mailer.
Do not cover the cap or foil end with any labels.
Detects blood in the lower GI tract only.
This kit is required for:
- Occult Blood Exam, Diagnostic (OBDX)
For detection of blood in the upper or lower GI.
Preserved stool or stool received in a specimen cup will be rejected.
This test is not recommended for cancer screening.
Due to the instability of blood in stool, pre-applied specimens on the correct side of the test card will only be accepted.