1. Remove surface exudate by wiping surface with 70% alcohol. 2. Aspirate abscess 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. Send specimen refrigerated. 6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. **Specimen submitted on a swabs is discouraged. * Rejection Criteria: Quantity not sufficient, specimen leaking, unlabeled or mislabeled specimen, specimen without a minimum of 2 patient identifiers, specimen received after prolonged delay (more than 7 days), specimen in fixative.
Transport Instructions
Up to 3 days at 2-8C (refrigerated)
Specimen Stability
Up to 3 days at 2-8C (refrigerated)
Methodology
Microbiology Culture
Days Performed
Monday through 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.
