Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following

Specimen Type: Sputum, induced sputum, ETT aspirate, tracheal aspirate, BAL
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: 2.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:

Sputum:

• Rinse mouth with water to remove food particles.
• Collect 4 to 5 deep coughs into a sterile container.
• Do not send saliva.
• Cap container tightly, label, and send to the laboratory immediately.

BAL: BAL fluid is preferred to bronchial washings for bacterial culture.
 

Specimen Type: Throat swab. ("Cough swab" from paediatric patients who are unable to expectorate sputum)
Container/Tube: eSwab, M40 transystem Amies agar transport media (for non-NUH patients)
Volume: 1 swab

Collection Instructions: Please refer to eSwab Training Slides.

Please indicate if extended incubation is required when slow growing bacteria such as Nocardia, Actinomyces are suspected.
 

For non-CF patient, please use the test code "Culture and Sensitivity, Respiratory" for routine culture.