Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Closed Abscess (Anaerobic, Sterile Body Sites)

1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline.

2. Aseptically aspirate 0.5 mL of specimen using a needle and syringe.

3. Transfer specimen to a Port-a-Cul® vial.

4. If submitting specimen in syringe, remove needle and cap syringe.

5. Label vial/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Deep Wound

1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline. Remove surface exudate, debris, and pus.
2. Use a culture swab to obtain specimen.

3. Pass swab deep into abscess, and sample lesion’s advancing edge taking care to avoid contamination with other normal flora.
4. Return swab to transport tube.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.  Specimens must be received within 48 hours of collection.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
 
Superficial Wound (Impetigo or Acne, Etc.)
1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline.
2. Use a culture swab to obtain specimen.
3. Remove cap with swab attached.
4. Break surface of wound and swab exudate.
5. Return swab to transport tube.

6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.