Sputum
Specification After Draw (Handling and Storage)
Immediately after collection, place the swab into the transport medium, break the shaft at the score line, and cap it securely.
Label the container with the patient’s name, date, actual time of collection, and specimen source (throat).
Transport conditions vary by test type and lab protocol:
*Room Temperature (Ambient): Generally acceptable for up to 24-48 hours.
*Refrigerated (2-8°C): This is the preferred storage method if transport to the lab is delayed, with stability typically for up to 6-8 days for ESwabs.
*Frozen: Generally unacceptable for this test.
Do not send dry swabs for culture, as this leads to unsatisfactory results.
Molecular
(RML)
Interference and Rejection Criteria
Specimens may be rejected or results affected by:
Improper Specimen Collection: Swabs that only touch the tongue, cheeks, or teeth, rather than the posterior pharynx and tonsils, may not collect enough bacteria and can lead to false negatives.
Incorrect Swab Type: Using swabs with cotton tips, wooden shafts, or calcium alginate tips is not recommended.
Incorrect Transport Media: Using transport media that contains charcoal or is semisolid (gel) can interfere with test results.
Specimen Age: Specimens exceeding the stability limits (e.g., dry swabs over 4 hours old, ESwabs outside stability range).
Patient Preparation: Collection immediately after the patient has used an antiseptic mouthwash can affect results.
Miscellaneous Instruction to Collector
Wear personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, eye protection) during collection.
Patient Positioning: Ask the patient to tilt their head back and open their mouth wide, saying “”Ahh”” to elevate the uvula.
Use a tongue depressor to gently hold down the tongue to visualize the tonsils and posterior pharynx.
Swabbing Technique: Vigorously swab the tonsils and the posterior pharynx (back of the throat), focusing on any red areas, white patches, or purulent areas. Avoid touching the inside of the cheeks, tongue, gums, or teeth with the swab.
Safety Note: Do not attempt a throat culture if the epiglottis is inflamed, as sampling may cause serious respiratory obstruction.
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