Specimen Type

Bone Marrow

Transport aspirate or biopsy to laboratory in sterile syringe or transfer specimen to tube containing heparin. Clotted specimens are acceptable.

Other

Pus, blood, CSF, sputum, bronchial secretions, gastric washings, aspirated material from abscesses or sinus tract should be placed in sterile containers and transported the the laboratory. Syringes with aspirated material are acceptable. The use of cotton swabs for specimen collection is seldom satisfactory. If a swab is used for collection of material, it should be extended into the depths of the wound, without touchting the adjacent skin margins.