Microbiology Collection & Temperature Summary
| Tests/Cultures | Collection/Comments | Image | Temperature Requirement |
| Blood |
10 mL of blood in each Bactec Culture Bottle (aerobic and anaerobic) Draw aseptically |
  |
Room temperature |
| Clostridium Difficile | Sterile Cup (Orange)
Unacceptable; Any preservative |
 |
Refrigerate at 2°- 8° C
Sample may be frozen if unable to ship on the same day of collection. |
| Exit Site | Culture Swab or Sterile Container
Specify source/site |
 |
Room temperature |
| Fluid | Culture:10 mL of fluid in each Bactec Culture Bottle (aerobic and anaerobic)
Gram Stain: Aliquot to Tall Yellow Top Tube |
|
Room temperature |
| MRSA Screen | Culture Swab |
|
Room temperature |
| Occult Blood IFT |
Stool Collection Buffer Tube
Stability is 10 days |
 |
Room temperature or refrigerated |
| Ova & Parasites | Ova & Parasite Kit |
 |
Room temperature |
| Routine Culture Swab | Culture Swab; Specify source/site |
|
Room temperature |
| Stool | Stool C&S Transport Vial |
 |
Room temperature |
| Stool for VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus) | Culture Swab |
|
Room temperature or refrigerated |
| Throat | Culture Swab |
|
Room temperature |
| Urine | Small Yellow Top Tube |
 |
Refrigerate at 2°- 8° C |
DUE TO SHORT STABILITY OF MICROBIOLOGY SPECIMENS, SHIP SAME DAY AS COLLECTED, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY.
PLEASE USE THE BAR CODE LABEL AND SPECIFY SOURCE ON EACH CONTAINER.