Specimen Requirements

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

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Aspirate

Sources: Abscess, cellulitis, decubitus ulcer, incision, or lesion

Collection Container/Tube: Syringe

Submission Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport device or sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen, ≥1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.

2. Collect pus/aspirated material from closed abscess using syringe.
Alternate:
Specimen Type: Swab

Sources: Abscess, cellulitis, decubitus ulcer, incision, or lesion
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
Collection Instructions:  For most open lesions and abscesses, remove superficial flora by decontaminating skin before collecting a specimen from advancing margin or base.

Specimen Type Choices: Abscess, Aspirate, Bartholin, Blister, Boil, Breast Milk, Cath Site, Cellulitis, Cervix, Cyst, Cyst Fl, Decub, Discharge, Drainage, Excision Site, Fistula, Genital, Hematoma, Incision, Laceration, Lesion, Lochia, Peg Site, Penis, Perirectal, Pharynx, Rectal Swab, Throat, Tonsil, Vaginal

Body Site Choices: Abdomen, Ankle, Anus, Arm, Axilla, Back, Breast, Buttock, Calf, Cheek, Chest, Chin, Coccyx, Ear, Earlobe, Elbow, Eye, Eyelid, Face Finger, Fingernail, Foot, Forearm, Forehead, Foreskin, Groin, Hand, Head, Heel, Hip, Jaw, Knee, Labia, Leg, Lip, Mouth, Navel, Neck, Nipple, Nose, Other, Penis, Scalp, Shoulder, Testicle, Thigh, Thumb, Toe, Toenail, Tongue, Tooth, Vagina, Vulva, Wrist