Blood:
Venipuncture for patients less than 2 months of age: Prep with 2% tincture of iodine.
1. Disinfect the stopper of the Lavender top tube (EDTA) with 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
2. Scrub venipuncture site with 70% alcohol for 1 min using the Frepp® applicator. Allow to dry.
3. Using the Sepp® applicator, apply 2% tincture of iodine to site starting at the center and moving outward in concentric circles. Allow to dry.
4. If the site must be touched during venipuncture, disinfect the gloved fingers.
5. Collect 5.0 mL of blood and aseptically inoculate the Lavender top tube (EDTA).
6. Gently invert the tube 4-5 times to mix contents.
7. Following collection, remove the iodine using the Frepp® applicator or an alcohol pad.
Venipuncture for patients more than 2 months of age: Prep with CloraPrep Sepp® Applicator.
1. Disinfect the stopper of the Lavender top (EDTA) tube with 70% alcohol and allow to dry.
2. Break the Sepp® ampule to release the 2% CHG.
3. Apply the CloraPrep solution using a back-and-forth friction scrub for 30 seconds.
4. Allow the area to dry for 30 seconds.
5. If the site must be touched during venipuncture, disinfect the gloved fingers.
6. Collect 5.0 mL of blood and aseptically inoculate the Lavender top (EDTA) tube.
7. Gently invert the tube 4-5 times to mix contents.
Line Draw:
1. Prep catheter port with 2% tincture of iodine or betadine followed by 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
2. Aseptically collect 5.0 mL of blood through the injection port. Blood may be collected without first drawing a discard.
3. Aseptically inoculate the Lavender top tube (EDTA).
Do Not centrifuge. Send in original Vacutainer™ tube. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly at ambient temperature only.
Bone Marrow:
Place 1.0 – 5.0 mL of bone marrow in lavender top (EDTA) tube(s). Invert several times to mix bone marrow. Do Not centrifuge. Send in original Vacutainer tube. Forward unprocessed bone marrow promptly at ambient temperature only.
Throat Swab:
1. Depress the tongue with a tongue depressor so the swab does not touch the tongue.
2. Sample the posterior pharynx, tonsils, and inflamed areas with a sterile swab.
Tissue:
Submit specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.
Skin:
1. Wash vesicles with sterile saline.
2. Open the vesicle and absorb vesicular fluid into a dry swab.
3. Vigorously scrape base of freshly exposed lesion with swab to obtain cells which contain virus.
Cervical:
1. Remove exudate prior to collection of specimen.
2. Gently insert separate large swab into endocervical canal past squamocolumnar junction. Rotate for 5 - 10 seconds.
3. To avoid contamination, withdraw swab while avoiding touching any vaginal surfaces.
Vaginal:
1. Wipe away excessive amount of secretion or discharge.
2. Obtain secretions from mucosal membrane of the vaginal vault with a sterile swab.
Nasopharyngeal:
1. Obtain 2 specimens using 2 NP swabs (i.e., MiniTipTM Culturette).
2. Gently insert swab through nose into posterior nasopharynx.
3. Gently rotate swab slowly for 5 seconds to absorb secretions.
4. Collect a second specimen in the same manner.
Bronchoscopy:
1. 1.0 – 2.0 mL of specimen obtained by physician through the biopsy channel of the bronchoscope.
2. Transfer specimen into a luki tube.
3. Transport to the Microbiology Laboratory immediately.
Nasopharyngeal aspirates:
1. Prepare suction set up on low to medium suction.
2. Wash hands, Put on protective barriers. (e.g., gloves, gown, mask)
3. Place child supine and obtain assistant to hold child during procedure.
4. Attach luki tube to suction tubing and #6 french suction catheter.
5. Insert catheter into nostril and pharynx without applying suction.
6. Apply suction as catheter is withdrawn.
Conjunctiva:
Do Not use a dry swab to collect an eye culture.
1. Moisten swab with sterile saline.
2. Retract lower lid and firmly swab conjunctival surface with enough pressure to collect epithelial cells. Avoid eyelid border and lashes.
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