Viral transport media Swabs collected more than 2 days prior to submission Dry swabs Non-sterile or leaking containers Expired transport media Frozen specimens Specimens in fixative (formalin) Swabs not submitted in transport media
Reference Range(s)
No Growth
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen
Eswab
Minimum Volume
1 swab in bacterial transport 0.2 mL body fluid or visible tissue in sterile container
Sample Stability
Room temperature: Eswab: 2 days; Other transport media: 2 Days; Sterile container with body fluid or tissue: 24 hours sterile container received between 24-48 hours after collection will be reported with the following comment: “specimens were not received into laboratory within 24 hours. Some organisms may have significant loss of viability. Recollection should be considered.” Refrigerated: Eswab: 2 days: Sterile container with body fluid or tissue: 24 hours sterile container received between 24-48 hours after collection will be reported with the following comment: “specimens were not received into laboratory within 24 hours. Some organisms may have significant loss of viability. Recollection should be considered.” Frozen: Unacceptable
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Collection Instructions
Eswab inoculated with infected material from wound, abscess, aspirate, drainage, eye or ear. Specimen source must be provided. Delays may occur if source is not provided.
Alternative Specimen
Bacterial culture transport swab collected in amies liquid, amies gel, liquid stuarts or equivalents. Sterile container with tissue in small amount of saline. Sterile container with 1 mL body fluid. Syringe with needle removed.