Specimen Requirements

Aseptically collect a first-morning specimen as follows:

1. Specimen should be a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum specimen (at least 1 mL), and patient should not have eaten prior to collection. (Saliva is not acceptable.)

2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.

3. Have patient remove dentures.

4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into a tightly-sealing, screw-capped, sterile container.

5. Label container with patient’s name, date, specimen source, and time of collection.

6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.