Collection Instructions

Expectorated Sputum: Do not have patient rinse mouth and gargle prior to collection. Instruct patient not to expectorate saliva or postnasal discharge into container. Collect expectorate into a sterile container with a screw cap. Tighten lid firmly. If patient is unable to provide an adequate specimen, the physician may request Respiratory Therapy to obtain an induced specimen.
 
Induced Sputum: Using a wet toothbrush and sterile water or saline, brush the buccal mucosa, tongue, and gums prior to procedure. Do not use toothpaste. Rinse the patient's mouth with sterile water or saline. Using a nebulizer, have the patient inhale approximately 20 to 30 mL of 3% NaCl. Collect sputum into a sterile container with a screw cap. Tighten lid firmly.
 
ET tube Aspirate and Auger Suction: Aspirate the specimen onto a sterile sputum trap and transfer the sample to a sterile screw-top container. Tighten lid firmly.  Do not transport Luken traps due to frequent  leaking problems resulting in contamination. If a small amount of sputum or secretions is obtained by the auger method, the sample may be submitted in the catheter in a sterile container.
 
Bronchoscopy Samples - BAL, bronchial washings, protected brush samples (PBS), Needle Aspiration, and Biopsy:  Procedure is performed by a pulmonologist, intensivist, or other trained physician.