Specimen Requirements

1. Preferred specimen is 1 collected immediately after patient arises and prior to intake of food.
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 which may inhibit growth of mycobacteria.
3. Have patient remove dentures.
4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into a sputum collection container with CytoLyt® fixative.

Note:  1. Saliva or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.

2. Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).

2. Please complete a “Surgical, Cytology, and Microbiology Request Form” including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (in- or outpatient) or address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical history, and forward it with specimen.