Aspirate 1. Remove surface exudate by wiping surface of lesion with 70% alcohol. 2. Aspirate deep into lesion using a sterile needle and syringe. 3. Place aspirate in a screw-capped, sterile container. If arriving in a syringe, needle must be removed prior to transportation. 4. Label container/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Swab 1. Remove surface exudate by wiping surface of lesion with 70% alcohol. 2. Swab deep into lesion. 3. Place swab in anaerobe transport media. 4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Transport Instructions
Specimen Stability
Methodology
Microbiology Culture Includes Gram stain.
Days Performed
Monday - Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Northwell Health Laboratories If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed when appropriate.
