After collection, all specimens must be delivered promptly to the laboratory. Delay can lead to erroneous and misleading reports

Whenever possible, culture specimens should be taken before anti-microbial therapy is started, to avoid inhibiting the growth of microorganisms

All specimen should be collected aseptically, and submitted in the appropriate sterile container

Owing to the high risk of infection through specimen handling, it is necessary to ensure that all specimen containers are well screwed to avoid any spillage during transport and kept in plastic bag

Labels must be correctly filled and must tally with the details on the request form.

All highly infectious specimen (eg Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, etc) should be labelled with ‘BIOHAZARD’ on container and request form

Blood, fluid and pus specimens obtained by needle aspirate should be collected after the skin has been properly cleansed with a suitable disinfectant. Aseptic procedure must be followed to prevent contaminant of the specimen.

Tissue for culture must be placed aseptically into a sterile container without a fixative or other additive

When taking a throat swab only areas of exudate, membrane formation of the tonsillar crypts should be sampled. Avoid touching tongue or other mucosal surfaces

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Blood C&S

• Collect blood by the venipuncture technique using a sterile needle and syringe.

• Clean thoroughly and disinfect the skin over with tincture of iodine followed by 70% alcohol.

• Clean the tops of the bottle with alcohol.

• Withdraw blood from vein.

• Inject the blood into the blood bottle through the perforation in the cap. DO NOT UNSCREW THE CAPS.

• Send the blood C&S specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible.

• Do not store in the refrigerator

• Adults 8-5ml

• Paeds 0.5-5ml