Specimen Requirements

PREFERRED

• Specimen Type: Aspirate (Abscess, cellulitis, decubitus ulcer, incision or lesion)
• Container/Tube (Preferred): Syringe
• Submission container/tube: 24 hours ambient (jar/vial), within one hour ambient (sterile container)
• Specimen Volume: ≥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 (Abscess, cellulitis, decubitus ulcer, incision, lesion or allograft)
• Container/Tube (Preferred): Swab
• Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
• Specimen Stability: 48 hours refrigerated or ambient
• Collection Instructions:

1. For most open lesions and abscesses, remove superficial flora by decontaminating skin before collecting a specimen from advancing margin or base.