Specimen Requirements

Specimen source is required.  

AMNIOTIC FLUID MUST ARRIVE WITHIN 15 MINS OF COLLECTION

• Specimen type: Amniotic fluid
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
• Collection instructions: 

1. Obtain fresh uncontaminated amniotic fluid by transabdominal amniocentesis. (Swabbing aspiration of vaginal membrane is not acceptable).
2. Aseptically transfer amniotic fluid to device or vial
3.  Label device/vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen 

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

SPECIMEN MUST ARRIVE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF COLLECTION

• Specimen type: Bartholin cyst
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial 
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
• Collection instructions: 

1. Disinfect skin with 2% tincture of iodine
2.  Aspirate fluid from ducts using a needle and syringe
3. Aseptically transfer fluid to jar or vial
4.  Label jar/vial with patient's name, ID number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

•  Specimen type: Closed abscess or surgical aspirate
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
• Collection instructions:

1. Collect pus/aspirated material using needle and syringe
2. Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
3. Aspirate deepest portion of abscess with needle and syringe or catheter. Do not allow air bubbles to enter syringe.
4.  Aseptically transfer all material to jar or vial.
5.  Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen 

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

Additional information: Sampling of surface area can introduce colonizing bacteria not involved in infection process.

• Specimen type: Cul-de-sac
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial 
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL or adequate amount
• Collection instructions:   

1. Aspirate fluid from cul-de-sac
2. Aseptically transfer fluid to jar or vial
3. Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

• Specimen type: Endometrium
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial  
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL or adequate amount
• Collection instructions:

1. Collect transcervical aspirate via telescoping catheter
2. Aseptically transfer fluid to jar or vial
3. Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

• Specimen type: Products of conception Lochia is not acceptable
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial 
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL or adequate amount
• Collection instructions:

1. Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen 

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

• Specimen type: Prostate
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL or adequate amount
• Collection instructions:

1. Clean glans with soap and water
2. Massage prostate through rectum
3. Collect fluid in sterile anaerobic jar or vial
4. Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

• Specimen type: Tissue biopsy
• Container/tube (preferred) : Anaerobic transport jar or vial
• Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL or adequate amount
• Collection instructions:

1. Label jar or vial with patient's name, ID number date and time of collection, and type of specimen

• Specimen Transport Temperature: Ambient

• Additional Information:  Sampling of surface area can introduce colonizing bacteria not involved in infection process.