Microbiology Specimen Descriptions  -    

TEST NAME

Specimen Collection Media

AEROBIC/MISC. CULTURE

eSwab

ANAEROBIC & AEROBIC/MISC. CULTURE    

eSwab

GU, MALE CULTURE

eSwab

GU, FEMALE CULTURE

eSwab

VAGINITIS PANEL

BD Molecular Swab Collection Kit

CHLAMYDIA BY DNA PROBE

Probe Collection Kit

N.GONORRHEA DNA PROBE

Probe Collection Kit

RESPIRATORY CULTURE

Sterile Container


INFLUENZA A&B + RSV + COVID-19, RAPID

eSwab, aerobic swab, or nasopharyngeal swab in VTM, M4RT or UTM (red top) 

THROAT CULTURE

eSwab

RAPID STREP A

eSwab

ENTERIC BACTERIAL PANEL (EBP)

Fecal eSwab

URINE CULTURE

UA Collection Kit (gray tube)

OCCULT BLOOD (stool)

Hemoccult Card

Ova & Parasite (O&P) - this is the SENDOUT test, commonly ordered after travel.
Raw stool container can be used to test for C-Diff, Rotavirus, and Occult Blood

3 Vial Transport Media

ENTERIC PARASITE PANEL (EPP) - 
this is the in-house test

 

Fecal eSwab or Pink top formalin O&P container

C-DIFF

Sterile Container

ROTAVIRUS

Sterile Container

MRSA SCREEN (nasal)

eSwab

MRSA SCREEN (source other than nasal) 

 *Order/request a Misc/Aerobic Culture and indicate on order to check for MRSA along with the source

eSwab

GROUP B STREP

eSwab

ACID FAST CULTURE

Sputum Collection Container or Sterile Container

FUNGAL CULTURE

Sterile Container (skin, hair, nails, or sputum)

HERPES CULTURE

Swab in M4RT or VTM


***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