MICROSCOPY, CULTURE & SENSITIVITY

SAMPLE TYPES: Variable therefore anatomic sites MUST be specified. Examples: A. Swabs (non-throat, non-HVS) Wound swabs (superficial/deep) Ear, nasal, eye, skin, ulcer, abscess swabs Environmental/OT sterility swabs B. Fluids (excluding CSF): Ascitic (peritoneal), pleural, synovial (joint), pericardial fluid, cyst, surgical irrigation or drain fluid C. Tissues & devices Tissue biopsy (soft tissue) Bone tissue Periprosthetic tissue Prostheses/implants (e.g., joint hardware) SAMPLE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS General principles: 1. Collect before initiation of antibiotics where clinically feasible. 2. Use aseptic technique for sterile site specimens. 3. Clearly indicate anatomical site and clinical diagnosis. 4. Avoid contamination with normal flora. Swabs 1. Use sterile synthetic swab with transport medium (Amies/Stuart ± charcoal). 2. Sample from deep infected area, not surface debris. 3. For abscesses: aspirate preferred over swab. Fluids 1. Collect via sterile aspiration into: sterile leak-proof container OR inoculated blood culture bottles (may improve yield). 2. Minimum volume: 1–5 mL (more improves yield). Tissue / bone 1. Submit sterile tissue pieces, not swabs. 2. Place in sterile container with small amount of sterile saline (do not immerse). 3. Do NOT place in formalin. Prostheses / implants 1. Place entire device in sterile container. 2. If large, send representative portions aseptically. SAMPLE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS General principles: transport to the lab ASAP, ideally within 2–4 hrs of collection. If delay expected, most specimens may be refrigerated for up to 24 hours (swabs in transport medium may remain stable up to 48 hours). Ambient transport (20–25°C) is acceptable for short durations—preferably ≤8–12 hours for swabs and ≤4 hours for sterile fluids and tissues. Use appropriate transport media (e.g., Amies/Stuart for swabs) and sterile, leak-proof containers for fluids and tissues.