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.