Specimen Requirements

Special Note: Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Open sterile scissors and sterile container from collection kit supplied.
2. Disinfect surrounding entry site.
3. Continuing to maintain sterile technique, remove catheter (avoid touching skin during withdrawal), and snip 1/2 inch to 1 inch of tip of catheter into sterile container. Hold tip well down into container to prevent it from flying out.
4. Do not allow catheter tip to dry out.
5. If pus can be expressed from site, collect specimen on swab and place in a screw-capped, sterile container.
6. Label specimen with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.
7. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.

Additional Information: 

1. Foley catheter tip is not acceptable.
2. Specimen source is required.