Specimen Type:
1 cm3 tissue in sterile container.
1 mL body fluid or abscess aspirate in sterile container.
Eswab is accepted but not preferred.
Minimum Volume:
Body fluid and abscess aspirate minimum volume is 0.5 mL.
Cause for Rejection:
Quantity not sufficient, improper specimen type, improper storage/transport, improper swab, dry swab, multiple swabs per vial, mislabeled, or unlabeled.
Storage:
Specimens should be transported to the lab preferably within 2 hours at room temperature.
Special Instructions:
Requisition or audit trail must specify site (e.g. right eye) of specimen along with important information regarding patient diagnosis (e.g. animal bite).
