Specimen Requirement

Sputum specimens should be collected under the direct supervision of a nurse or physician. Before collecting the specimen, the patient should gargle or rinse with water to remove superficial flora.

Expectorated: Collect the specimen in a sterile sputum system container by removing the container from bag, and lifting the top hinged lid. Instruct the patient to cough deeply to produce a lower respiratory specimen. Press the rim of the container to the patient’s lower lip to collect the specimen into the conical tube inside the container and keep the outside of the container clean. Remove the container from the conical tube and place the blue lid on the tube tightly. Dispose of the outside container.

Induced sputum: With the aid of a nebulizer, have the patient inhale 25 ml of 3-10% sterile saline. Collect the
induced sputum by using the sputum collection system as explained above.