Microbiology Specimen Descriptions -
|
TEST NAME |
Specimen Collection Media |
|
AEROBIC/MISC. CULTURE |
eSwab |
|
ANAEROBIC & AEROBIC/MISC. CULTURE |
eSwab |
|
|
|
|
GU, FEMALE CULTURE |
eSwab |
|
VAGINITIS PANEL |
BD Affirm VPIII Swab Collection System |
|
GU, MALE CULTURE |
eSwab |
|
RESPIRATORY CULTURE |
STERILE CONTAINER |
|
STOOL CULTURE |
Fecal eSwab |
|
URINE CULTURE |
UA COLLECTION KIT |
|
OCCULT BLOOD,STOOL |
HEMOCCULT CARD |
|
PARASITOLOGY (O&P) Raw stool container can be used to test for C-Diff, Rotavirus, and Occult Blood |
3 VIAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM |
|
***MRSA NASAL SCREEN |
eSwab |
|
***Other source than nasal, please order/request a Misc/Aerobic Culture and indicate on order to check for MRSA along with the source |
eSwab |
|
CHLAMYDIA BY DNA PROBE |
PROBE COLLECTION KIT |
|
N.GONORRHEA DNA PROBE |
PROBE COLLECTION KIT |
|
THROAT CULTURE |
eSwab |
|
RAPID STREP A |
AEROBIC SWAB (red capped) |
|
GROUP B STREP |
eSwab |
|
ACID FAST CULTURE |
SPUTUM COLLECTION CONTAINER OR STERILE CONTAINER |
|
FUNGAL CULTURE |
SPECIMEN OR SKIN, HAIR, NAILS, SPUTUM IN STERILE CONTAINER (SWAB NOT PREFERRED) |
|
C-DIFF |
PLAIN STOOL (STERILE CONTAINER) |
|
ROTAVIRUS |
PLAIN STOOL (STERILE CONTAINER) |
|
INFLUENZA A&B RAPID |
eSwab, AEROBIC SWAB, OR NASOPHARYNGEAL SWAB IN VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA/M4RT WHEN ORDERING WITH RSV |
|
RAPID RSV |
NASOPHARYNGEAL SWAB IN VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA/M4RT |
|
HERPES CULTURE |
SWAB IN M4RT/VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA |
***NOTE: All Specimens entering Parkview Health Laboratories MUST be labeled with the Patient's Full Legal Name (no initials or nicknames) and Date of Birth, otherwise specimens will be rejected. This is a mandate from College of American Pathologist and Center of Medicare Services. Any Additional Microbiology questions, please call the Client Response Center at 260-266-1500 (Option 1)
Proper specimen collection and rapid specimen transportation are critical factors in obtaining accurate, meaningful and timely results.
Specimen Rejection and Safety
Inadequate specimens, inadequate identification, gross external contamination, inadequate collection, prolonged transport time, incorrect use of transport device, or other inappropriate specimens will be criteria for specimen rejection. Specimens must be in tightly sealed containers and placed in clear plastic bags.
In addition, safe handling of specimens with regard to contamination, adequate containers, spillage, etc. must conform to infection control guidelines. Specimens in syringes are acceptable if needles have been detached and the syringe capped prior to being sent to the laboratory. Fluids may be sent in sterile, screw-capped vials or no additive red-stoppered test tubes.
Labels must contain the patient’s full legal name, a unique identifier (the unique identifier may be the DOB or the requisition number), date and time of collection, and must include the site and/or source of collection and any antibiotic therapy history.
Revised 07/23