Inner ear: Sample must be acquired using aseptic technique. Follow Sample protocols outlined by your health care facility for this sample type. collection/ Outer ear: Use a moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from the ear preparation canal. Obtain sample by firmly rotating swab in the outer canal. Volume/Quantity One specimen is sufficient in the case of all swabs. Ensure the swab is returned fully to the transport medium case and correctly Safety closed. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the Requirements pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Specimens should arrive in the laboratory within 24hrs of collection. In the Time Between event of any delays, store swab at 4oC. Collection and It is possible for coliforms to multiply in transport after a few hours at Processing room temperature causing a significant change in culture results. Sample Quality N/A N/A Special Requirements Turnaround 2-5 Days Times Where possible specimen collection should occur before antimicrobial therapy and always when pus or exudate is present. Respiratory syncytial and parainfluenza viruses have been isolated from middle ear effusions and may have a role in the aetiology of otitis media especially in children. Use a Green or Pink top viral culture swab if indicated. Comments Mycotic infection of the ear is a superficial, chronic or subacute infection of the external auditory canal. Fungal infection accounts for two to ten percent of cases of otitis externa, and most frequently occurs after treatment of bacterial infection. Superficial infection with Candida spp occurs more commonly in patients who use hearing aids. For investigation of fungal infection, scrapings of material from the ear canal are preferred although swabs can also be used. Swab Specimen Type Nasal. Bacterial Culture: Blue agar transport swab. Sample Container Viral Swab (Pink or Green Top)
Sample collection/ preparation Inner ear: Sample must be acquired using aseptic technique. Follow protocols outlined by your health care facility for this sample type. Outer ear: Use a moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from the ear canal. Obtain sample by firmly rotating swab in the outer canal. Volume/Quantity One specimen is sufficient in the case of all swabs. Safety Requirements Ensure the swab is returned fully to the transport medium case and correctly closed. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Time Between Collection and Processing Specimens should arrive in the laboratory within 24hrs of collection. In the event of any delays, store swab at 4oC. It is possible for coliforms to multiply in transport after a few hours at room temperature causing a significant change in culture results. Sample Quality N/A Special Requirements N/A Turnaround Times 2-5 Days Comments Where possible specimen collection should occur before antimicrobial therapy and always when pus or exudate is present. Respiratory syncytial and parainfluenza viruses have been isolated from middle ear effusions and may have a role in the aetiology of otitis media especially in children. Use a Green or Pink top viral culture swab if indicated. Mycotic infection of the ear is a superficial, chronic or subacute infection of the external auditory canal. Fungal infection accounts for two to ten percent of cases of otitis externa, and most frequently occurs after treatment of bacterial infection. Superficial infection with Candida spp occurs more commonly in patients who use hearing aids. For investigation of fungal infection, scrapings of material from the ear canal are preferred although swabs can also be used. Swab Specimen Type Nasal. Sample Container Bacterial Culture: Blue agar transport swab. Viral Swab (Pink or Green Top)
PATH-GEN-PSCM%20Pathology%20Users%20Handbook.docx