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ADDRESS
Sanford Laboratories
PO Box 5056
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5056
PHONE
605-328-5464
800-522-2561
FAX
605-328-5434
E-MAIL
E-mail Sanford Laboratories
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| Microbiology Specimen Collection |
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SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT
Specimen collection information for each test is provided in the test listing under "Specimen Requirements." For multiple cultures, please submit a separate specimen for each culture request, e.g., bacterial, AFB, fungal culture. If the specimen is collected on a swab, each culture type requires one swab.
Transport media is available from our Supplies Department.
- Collect primary specimens in sterile, leak-proof containers.
- Refrigerate urine immediately after collection or submit in a urine transport system.
- Submit specimens collected on swabs in transport media, such as a Culturette.
- Refrigerate (do not freeze) all AFB, fungal, and viral cultures to prevent bacterial overgrowth.
- Hold all other specimens on swabs at room temperature until transported.
- DO NOT incubate primary specimens.
- Keep blood cultures at room temperature until transported. Do not incubate or refrigerate.
ANAEROBIC CULTURE COLLECTION
Specimens from the following sites are acceptable when submitted in the appropriate anaerobic transport media:
- Transtracheal aspirations
- Suprapubic urines from percutaneous suprapubic bladder
- Genital specimens from cul-de-sac aspiration, placenta, fallopian tube, septic abortion, or prostatic or seminal fluid
- Surgical specimens
- Exudates, aspirated pus from deep wound or abscesses
- Body fluids - normally sterile
- IUD
The following sites should not be cultured anaerobically because normal anaerobic flora is present:
- Throat and nasopharyngeal swabs
- Sputum and bronchoscopic specimens
- Feces and rectal swabs
- Voided or catheterized urines
- Specimens from sites contaminated with intestinal contents such as colostomy sites, draining pilonidal sinus, and traumatic perforation of the bowel
All anaerobic specimens should be collected to minimize contamination with normal flora. Specimen collection by needle aspiration is recommended when possible.
BLOOD CULTURE COLLECTION
Specimens for blood cultures must be submitted in blood culture bottles. - Select the best possible vein for venipuncture by inspection and/or palpation.
- Remove the protective flip top overcap from bottle. Wipe off the top of each bottle with an alcohol swab and allow to dry for one minute before placing blood into the bottle.
- Apply the tourniquet.
- **Scrub method for chloraprep applicators (NOTE: Not for patients under 2 months of age. See Betadine method):
- Scrub the site using the chloraprep applicators. Applicators are available from our Supplies Department. Scrub in a back and forth motion for 30 seconds, and then allow to air dry. DO NOT wipe chloraprep dry. Do not palpate vein after scrub.
- Go to Step 1.
- **Betadine method and patients under 2 months of age:
Scrub the site using an alcohol pad working outward from venipuncture site in a circular motion. After the alcohol prep, scrub the site using a betadine pad working outward from the venipuncture site in a circular motion. For patients with iodine sensitivity, cleanse with alcohol for 60 seconds. Do a second betadine scrub with a fresh pad scrubbing outward from the venipuncture site in a circular motion. The betadine should be allowed to dry. Do not palpate the vein after the second scrub. Do not wipe the betadine dry, as this will contaminate the site.
- Perform venipuncture using a sterile needle and syringeand appropriate transfer device, or Vacuatainer adapter with 21g butterfly. When using Vacuatiner adapter, it can not be a direct draw; the butterfly must be used to provide the space between culture media and vein.
- The ideal volume of blood collected is 20 mL (10 mL in aerobic bottle and 10 mL in anaerobic bottle). Refer to chart below to determine which bottles to fill.
- Do not introduce air from syringe into the anaerobic (purple) bottle. Both the light green and purple bottles should be filled in most cases. The yellow bottle should only be used for pediatric collections or in cases of extremely difficult collections.
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| Volume of Blood |
Bottles to Fill |
| 11-20 mL |
light green and purple
(1/2 blood volume in each) |
4.0-10 mL
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light green
(All blood in one bottle) |
| 1.0-4.0 mL |
Yellow
(All blood in one bottle) |
| Less than 1.0 mL |
Quantity not sufficient
for culture |
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- Label bottles with required identification. Do NOT cover the bar code printed on the bottle. Swirl bottles gently to mix, but do not vent. Keep at room temperature; please do not incubate
A preliminary report will be issued on the second day of receipt. A final report on routine negative cultures is issued on day 6. Note on the requisition if Brucella, Listeria, or fungus is suspected, as these organisms require longer incubation.
GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (Vaginal & Rectal) COLLECTION
Collect specimen at 35-37 weeks' gestation
- Swab the lower vagina followed by the rectum (insert swab through the anal sphincter) using the same swab or two different swabs.
- Note: Cervical cultures are not recommeneded and a speculum should NOT be used for culture collerction.
- Place the swab(s) into transport media. If vaginal and rectal swabs were collected separately, both swabs can be placed into the same container or transport media.
- Submit at room temperature. Indicate source.
URINE COLLECTION, RANDOM
All patients should void the first part of the specimen into the toilet, then secure the remainder of the specimen in a sterile container. Keep urine refrigerated. To obtain a clean-catch collection of urine for the female patient, a thorough cleansing of the periurethral area is required before specimen collection. Wash the area with a soap or antiseptic, thoroughly rinse with clean water, and make all efforts to avoid any contact until urination is complete. For the male patient, a thorough cleansing of the glans penis with soap or antiseptic followed by a complete rinse with clean water is required.
For in-dwelling catheters, obtain the specimen with a needle and syringe. Select a puncture site 1-2 inches distal to the meatus and clamp below the puncture site. Cleanse the area to be punctured with 70% alcohol. Aspirate exactly 5 mL of urine with a sterile needle and syringe. Deliver this volume directly into a sterile urine container available from our Supplies Department. Specimens obtained from the collection bag are not suitable for analysis. Foley tips will not be accepted.
For cytoscopic or suprapubic aspiration, follow standard procedures and obtain the specimen by aspiration. Transport the specimen in anaerobic transport kits available from our Supplies Department. Keep urine refrigerated.
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Clostridium difficile Toxin Collection
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