Specimen Type/Requirements

See specific source for specimen collection.

• BLOOD: Refer to BLOD1118
• GASTRIC CONTENTS:
  • Following an overnight fast, except water, a disposable plastic tube is passed through the nares into the stomach. A 10 mL syringe is then attached to the tube and the gastric contents aspirated by suction. It is necessary to put fluid through the tube to withdraw gastric material. A specimen of 10-15 mL is usually obtained with ease.
  • Gastric contents must be processed immediately after collection, sent to the Lab promptly.
  • Do not schedule this procedure prior to 7:00 a. m., after 5:00 p.m.or on weekends or holidays UNLESS SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE WITH THE MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY IN ADVANCE (Contact Microbiology by dialing: 701-417-7383).  Microbiology will notify the SMCF Lab when special testing requests have been made for patients from SMCF.
• SPUTUM: Three consecutive first morning specimens.
• TISSUE: Collect material using sterile technique. Place tissue in a sterile container.
• STERILE FLUIDS: (pleural, thoracentesis, etc): Send 10 mL of fluid in a sterile container. DO NOT send all of the fluid collected.
• URINE: Three consecutive first morning specimens.
  • Submit specimen in sterile container. Do not submit specimen on swab.