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Abscess General
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Abscess - Open
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Body Fluid - abdominal, amniotic, ascites, bile, joint, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, thoracentesis
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Cellulitis, aspirate from area of
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CSF
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Endometrial tissue
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Eye - Corneal scrapings
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Eye - Exudate
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Feces
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Fistula (See Abscess)
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Gastric Wash or lavage for mycobacteria
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Respiratory, lower Bronchoalveolar lavage, brush or wash, endotracheal aspirate, transtracheal aspirate
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Skin lesion
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Sputum, expectorated
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Sputum, induced
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Tissue / lymph node
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Vaginal Secretions
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Wound (See Abscess)
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Specimen type (reference): Abscess - General
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Collection guidelines: Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Collect fluid abscess material with Luer tip syringe and/or remove tissue aseptically.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Fluid abscess material should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Tissue should be submitted in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Do not transport specimen in culturette or in transport medium. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended.
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Storage time: Refrigerate, but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day/source
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Comments: Tissue (at least 1 gram, if possible) or fluid is preferred. A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable. Do not freeze or preserve tissue.
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Specimen type (reference): Abscess - Open
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Collection guidelines: Aspirate if possible. Aspirate material from under the margin of the lesion/abscess. Remove tissue aseptically.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Fluid abscess material should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Tissue should be submitted in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Do not transport specimen in culturette or in transport medium.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day/source
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Comments: Tissue (at least 1 gram, if possible) or fluid is preferred. A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable. Do not freeze or preserve tissue.
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Specimen type (reference): Body Fluids: abdominal, amniotic, ascites, bile, joint, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, thoracentesis
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Collection guidelines: Palpate vein before disinfection of venipucture site. Disinfection of venipuncture site:
1. Disinfect overlying skin with alcohol or iodine preparation
2. Obtain specimen via percutaneous needle aspiration or surgery
3. Always submit as much fluid as possible; never submit a swab dipped in fluid
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Transport device and/or minimum vol: Sterile leak-proof container such as a 50 ml conical tube; Minimum volume is 10-15 ml.
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: Maximum volume recommended is 15 ml
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Specimen type (reference): Cellulitis, aspirate from area of
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Collection guidelines:
1. Cleanse site by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol.
2. Aspirate the area of maximum inflammation (commonly the center rather than the leading edge)
with a needle and syringe; irrigation with a small amount of sterile saline may be necessary
3. Aspirate saline into syringe, and expel into sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate, but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Specimen type (reference): CSF
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Collection guidelines: 1. Disinfect site with iodine preparation
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Sterile leak-proof container such as 50 ml conical tube. Minimum amt required: 2-3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: Room Temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze CSF specimen.
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: None
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Specimen type (reference): Endometrial tissue
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Collection guidelines: Collect tissue aseptically during endometrial biopsy procedure.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol: Sterile leak-proof container; if dry, add up to 5 ml sterile saline for transport.
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Transport time and temp: Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate, but do not freeze specimen.
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments: Do not freeze or preserve tissue specimen.
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Specimen type (reference): Eye - Corneal scrapings
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Collection guidelines:
1. Specimen collected by ophthalmologist
2. Using sterile spatula, scrape ulcers or lesions, and inoculate scraping directly onto medium
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Direct culture inoculations: BHI with 10% sheep blood agar plate or chocolate agar plates
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: None
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Specimen type (reference): Eye (exudates)
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Collection guidelines: Aspirate if possible. Collect material in Luer tip syringe.
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Exudate should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube.
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended.. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: None
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Specimen type (reference): Feces
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Collection guidelines: Pass specimen directly into a sterile leak-proof container. Do not use holding medium or transport medium.
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Sterile, leak-proof, container such as a 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 1 gram.
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Transport time and temp: Unpreserved; As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: 1/Day
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Comments: Do not submit rectal swabs for mycobacterial culture.
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Specimen type (reference): Gastric Wash or lavage for mycobacteria
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Collection guidelines: Collect in early morning before patients eat and while they are still in bed.
1.Introduce a nasogastric tube into the stomach
2. Perform lavage with 25-50 ml of chilled, sterile distilled water
3. Recover sample and place in a leak-proof, sterile container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube ; minimum volume is 5-10 mL.
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Transport time and temp: Neutralize within 1 h of collection, transport as soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits:1/day on three consecutive days
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Comments: The specimen must be processed promptly, since mycobacteria die rapidly in gastric washings. Neutralize with 100 mg sodium carbonate. Maximum volume of specimen recommended is 15 ml.
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Specimen type (reference): Respiratory, lower bronchoalveolar lavage, brush or wash, endotracheal aspirate, transtracheal aspirate
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Collection guidelines:
1. Collect washing or aspirate in a sputum trap
2. Place brush in sterile leak-proof container with up to 5 ml of saline
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Sterile container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: None
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Specimen type (reference): Skin lesion
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Collection guidelines:
1. Cleanse with sterile saline, and remove lesion's surface with a sterile scalpel blade
2. Allow transudate to accumulate
3. While pressing the base of the lesion, collect transudate with sterile syringe. Place contents of syringe in sterile leak-proof container.
4. If tissue is collected, place tissue in sterile leak-proof container and add 2 to 3 ml sterile saline for transport.
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube.
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable
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Specimen type (reference): Sputum, expectorated
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Collection guidelines:
1. Collect specimen under the direct supervision of a nurse or physician
2. Have patient rinse or gargle with water to remove excess oral flora.
3. Instruct patient to cough deeply to produce a lower respiratory specimen (not postnasal fluid)
4. Collect in a sterile container
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Sterile container such as 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: For diagnosis, at least three consecutive sputum specimens are needed, each collected in 8- to 24-hour intervals, with at least one being an early morning specimen.
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Comments: Early morning sputum specimen is preferred. Do not pool sputum specimens.
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Specimen type (reference): Sputum, induced
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Collection guidelines:
1. Have patient rinse mouth with water after brushing gums and tongue
2. With the aid of a nebulizer, have patients inhale approximately 25 ml of 3-10% sterile saline
3. Collect in a sterile leak-proof container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended.. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: For diagnosis, at least three consecutive sputum specimens are needed, each collected in 8- to 24-hour intervals, with at least one being an early morning specimen.
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Comments: Same as above for sputum, expectorated.
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Specimen type (reference): Tissue/lymph node
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Collection guidelines: Aseptically collected during surgery or cutaneous biopsy procedure
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Storage time:
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments: Always submit as much tissue as possible. Add 2 to 3 ml sterile saline to tissue for transport.
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Specimen type (reference): Vaginal Secretions
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Collection guidelines:
1. Wipe away old secretions and discharge
2. Obtain secretions from the mucosal membrane of the vaginal wall with a sterile pipette
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Transport device and/or minimum volume: Submit secretions in sterile leak-proof container; do not use transport medium.
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Transport time and temperature: As soon as possible; Overnight shipment on cold pack is recommended.. If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Storage time: Refrigerate but do not freeze specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments: A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable.
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Specimen type (reference): Wound (See Abscess)
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