Specimen Stability (for laboratory use only)
Collection Container
Sterile screw-capped container
Collection Instructions:
Preferred: respiratory specimens, aspirates, biopsies, secretions, sterile body fluids OR tissue from any body part
Acceptable: lesions
A negative smear does not exclude tuberculosis. A culture should always be ordered with a smear.
For tuberculosis specimens, collect 3 separate sputum specimens at least 20 hours apart. The preferred specimen is the first productive cough of the day.
For lesions collection:
1. Collect specimen using eSwab.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
For other collection:
1. Collect specimen into a sterile screw capped container.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
Acceptable: lesions
A negative smear does not exclude tuberculosis. A culture should always be ordered with a smear.
For tuberculosis specimens, collect 3 separate sputum specimens at least 20 hours apart. The preferred specimen is the first productive cough of the day.
For lesions collection:
1. Collect specimen using eSwab.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
For other collection:
1. Collect specimen into a sterile screw capped container.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
Unacceptable Conditions:
Blood
Early morning urine
Stool
Early morning urine
Stool
Specimen Stability:
Ambient
4 hours
Reflex Tests:
N.A.
Remarks:
Testing can still be performed if <2 mL of specimen is received. However, results may be compromised.
Performance
Turn Around Time:
1 day
Days Test Performed:
Testing Laboratory:
Woodlands Hospital Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Medical Microbiology
Clinical & Interpretative
Description:
Presumptive diagnosis of Mycobacterium infection
Methodology:
Microscopy
Reference Interval:
Acid-fast bacilli not seen
Critical Values:
Requesting clinician/location will be informed of positive result
