Figure : Sputum Microbiology Examination Specimen Turnaround Special Accreditation Referred Sputum Container Volume Times Requirements Status Test Specimens should be before Deep cough Minimum: antimicrobial purulent 48hrs therapy started. Culture Accredited No specimen. Maximum: Saliva and 1 ml perinasal secretions unsuitable Legionella 1 ml 1 week Accredited Sterile morning Auramine container 1 week Accredited phenol Stain specimen on 3 consecutive T.B Culture 6 - 8 Accredited Yes: days Microbiology, Any bloodstained Routine Hospital ’s sputa are referred Culture: 10 Bloodstained to SVUH for ZN 1 ml days. Accredited stain, TB culture TB: 6 - 8 and routine culture weeks if required Figure : Routine Swabs Microbiology Examination Turnaround Special Accreditation Referred Swabs Container Times Requirements Status Test HVS: Gram stain - Plain (red top) Accredited No Microscopy same day swab if taken All swabs during Vary depending (see working day. on swab type, for all Black see individual Accredited No swabs charcoal swab procedures for processed in if delay. reporting times NMH) Endocervical swab, send No: Culture immediately to Neisseria Yes: For susceptibility Minimum: 48 hrs Microbiology and gonorrhoeae Swab Accredited testing when isolated. Maximum: 96 hrs Contact Micro Culture Referred to Laboratory. Microbiology, SJH Available during routine hours only Red Copan As per guidelines Rapid GBS collection and/or as per Screen - Same day Not accredited No devices Consultant HVS/Rectal (double swab) Microbiologist. PCR test for Chlamydia Aptima swab 7 - 10 Days Accredited Yes: NVRL and N. gonorrhoeae
Figure : Sputum Microbiology Examination Sputum Container Specimen Volume Turnaround Times Special Requirements Accreditation Status Referred Test Culture Sterile container Deep cough purulent specimen. 1 ml Minimum: 48hrs Maximum: Specimens should be before antimicrobial therapy started. Saliva and perinasal secretions unsuitable Accredited No Legionella 1 ml 1 week Accredited Yes: Microbiology, ’s Hospital Auramine phenol Stain morning specimen on 3 consecutive days 1 week Accredited T.B Culture 6 - 8 Accredited Bloodstained 1 ml Routine Culture: 10 days. TB: 6 - 8 weeks Any bloodstained sputa are referred to SVUH for ZN stain, TB culture and routine culture if required Accredited Figure : Routine Swabs Microbiology Examination Swabs Container Turnaround Times Special Requirements Accreditation Status Referred Test HVS: Microscopy Plain (red top) swab if taken during working day. Black charcoal swab if delay. Gram stain - same day Accredited No All swabs (see for all swabs processed in NMH) Vary depending on swab type, see individual procedures for reporting times Accredited No Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture Swab Minimum: 48 hrs Maximum: 96 hrs Endocervical swab, send immediately to Microbiology and Contact Micro Laboratory. Available during routine hours only Accredited No: Culture Yes: For susceptibility testing when isolated. Referred to Microbiology, SJH Rapid GBS Screen - HVS/Rectal Red Copan collection devices (double swab) Same day As per guidelines and/or as per Consultant Microbiologist. Not accredited No PCR test for Chlamydia and N. gonorrhoeae Aptima swab 7 - 10 Days Accredited Yes: NVRL
NMH%20Pathology%20Primary%20Sample%20Manual%202018.docx