Specimen Collection & Transport
Microbiology Collection & Transport Supply Guidelines
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
Swabs
This swab is acceptable for:
- 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)
- Fungal Screen for Candida (FUNGSC)
- Group A Strep PCR (GASPCR)
- MRSA / S. aureus Culture Screen (MRSASC, SANSAL)
- Throat Culture (THRCUL)
- VRE Culture (VRESC)
- Wound Culture & Stain* (WCUL)
* 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.
This swab is required for:
- GC Amplification, Genital, Rectal and Oral Specimens (GC)
- Chlamydia Amplification, Genital (CT)
- GC / Chlamydia Amplification, Genital (GCCT)
- Trichomonas vaginalis Amplification (TRVAMP)
- Bacterial Vaginosis Amplification (BVAMP)
- Candida / Trichomonas Amplification (CVTV)
- Mycoplasma genitalium Amplification (MYGPCR)
A vaginal swab is optimal for testing asymptomatic patients with female genitalia.
This kit can be used for testing patients with vaginal discharge or cervicitis; and throat and rectal sites for GCCT, GC, or CT testing.
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
An endocervical swab is an alternative to a vaginal swab and may be used for testing patients with vaginal discharge or cervicitis.
A urethral swab is an alternative to first-catch urine for asymptomatic or symptomatic patients with male genitalia.
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
Containers & Kits
First-catch urine specimens must be transferred from the collection cup to an Aptima® urine tube within 24 hours of collection.
If available, a vaginal Multitest swab specimen is preferable to urine due to higher sensitivity.
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
BD Vacutainer™ Culture & Sensitivity (C&S) 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 container is preferred for:
- AFB Culture & Stain (AFC)
- BK Virus Quantitation, Urine (UBKQT)
- Body Fluid Culture (BFCUL)
- Bronchoscopy Culture & Gram Stain (BALCSM)
- C. difficile Toxin by PCR (CDPCR)
- Calprotectin, Fecal (CALPRO)
- Catheter Tip Culture (CTCUL)
- Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Culture (CFRCUL)
- Fungal Culture (FCULSM)
- Lactoferrin, Stool (STLWBC)
- Legionella Culture, PCR (LEGCUL; LEGPCR)
- Nocardia Culture (NOCARD)
- Respiratory Culture (RCULST)
- Tissue Culture (TISCUL)
- Urine Culture if <4 ml (URCUL)
- Wound Culture & Gram Stain (WCUL)
This container can be used for sputum, tissue, fluid, and submission of specimens if a specific transport is not indicated.
This container is preferred for:
- Enteric Bacterial Panel by PCR (STLPCR)
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
Specimen Collection Instructions
Fill the container up to the red line, then mix.
Transport at room temperature (ambient).
Specimen Collection Instructions
Fill the container up to the red line, then mix.
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.