Additional Specimen Information
Pre-Testing Requirements Rinse mouth with water first.
Sputum collected first thing in the morning over 3 days is the ideal specimen. Physiotherapist assistance may be required to dislodge mucus from the lung's airspaces to achieve a good deep cough specimen.
Specimen Collection Protocols:
Good deep cough sputa, not saliva should be collected in a screw-capped specimen pottle.
Please ensure that the cap is closed to ensure specimen does not leak in transit.
If specimens are delayed or late in the day, please refrigerate (4 degrees Celsius) and send immediately the next day.
If Micobiology tests are also required, please fill out a CHL General Laboratory Request form as well, and send both forms and specimen to CHL Specimen Registration.
Specimens MUST be properly labelled with full name and NHI or full name and date of birth, and accompanied with a matching request form.
