Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection. Specimen Type: Sputum, early-morning, expectorated specimen without fixativeContainer/Tube:Clean, plastic containerSpecimen Volume:Entire collectionCollection Instructions: 1.Instruct patient to expectorate a deep cough specimen. Saliva is not acceptable.2.Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable), and source of specimen.Additional Information:1. Immediately bring specimen to Pathology (open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-4 p.m.). On weekends or during off hours, leave request form and specimen in specimen basket on laboratory processing counter. Flip light switch to notify laboratory personnel.2. The following specimen will be returned to submitting physician:A. Spilled specimenB. No request formC. Name on request form does not match name on specimenD. Unlabeled specimenE. Specimen improperly collectedForms: Pathology requisition; or place a Pathology order in order entry including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (in- or out-patient) or address, specimen source, andpertinent clinical history