For diagnostic purposes, all persons suspected of having TB disease at any site should have sputum collected for TB culture. At least three consecutive sputum specimens are needed, each collected in 8- to 24-hour intervals, with at least one being an early morning specimen.
1. Collect 5-8 mL (minimum volume: 3 mL) of a first-morning “deep cough” sputum specimen into a Sputum Collection Kit. 2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs. 3. Have patient remove dentures. 4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into Sputum Collection Kit. 5. Remove the funnel and discard. Using the cap provided, securly close the 50 ml conical tube. 5. Label the 50 ml conical tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 6. Send specimen refrigerated. 7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. *Rejection Criteria: Quantity not sufficient, sputum not received in sputum collection kit, 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 - 8 C (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.
