Prince Faisal bin Khalid Cardiac Center

Abha, Saudi Arabia

Nursing Education
Department

COLLECTING SPECIMEN FOR

MICROBIOLOGY TESTING
Objective
 At the end of the presentation, RNs will be
able to:
1. Understand the significance of microbiology
testing.
2. Determine the correct techniques when
collecting specimen for a microbiology test.
What is Microbiology Testing?

A clinical testing used to identify and isolate

infectious microorganisms.
Specimens used for Microbiology
Testing:
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
 Practices designed to render and maintain objects and
environment free of microorganisms.

PPE

Clean/
disinfection Cough
of
environme etiquett
ntal e
surfaces Hand
Hygiene

Waste Sharps
Disposal Safety
 Collecting SPUTUM
Physician
Order

Aseptic
Technique

Equipment

Patient ID +
Education

 Use STERILE TECHNIQUE.

 Best time for CONSCIOUS patient is EARLY
morning before meals.
 Best time for intubated: ANYTIME when
ordered.
 CPT/NEB before collection is allowed
when specimen collection is difficult.
 Provide ORAL CARE post-procedure
 Collecting URINE
Physician
Order

Aseptic
Technique

Equipment

Patient ID +
Education

 Use STERILE TECHNIQUE.

 For conscious patient, instruct to collect
MIDSTREAM urine.
 Refrigerate the sample if delay of
transport is anticipated.
 Collecting BLOOD
Physician
Order

Aseptic
Technique

Equipment

 Use STERILE TECHNIQUE. Patient ID +

 Use 70% Alcohol swab to clean the Education
puncture site, followed by CHG swab
and allow to dry.
 Use 70% Alcohol swab to clean the tops
of the CS bottle.
 For adults, collect 10cc of blood, place
5 cc for each bottle.
 For CVC, collect 5-10 ml of waste
blood before the sample for CS.
 Collecting WOUND swab
Physician
Order

Aseptic
Technique

Equipment

 Use STERILE TECHNIQUE.

 For intact wound, clean the area with Patient ID +
70% alcohol before aspirating for Education
wound drains.
 Clean the surrounding skin with an
antiseptic agent (Alcohol or CHG)
before collecting the specimen.
 Never use antiseptic cleansing agent
on the wound before collecting the
sample.
 For MRSA, clean the site with water if
necessary.
Transporting CS Specimen
 For SPUTUM cultures:
1. Ensure integrity of the container.
2. Label the container with Patient ID and
apply barcode and/or appropriate forms
when available.
3. Transfer in a biohazard bag.
4. In case of delay, store at 2-8˚C and protect
from light. (For container with CPC medium,
DO NOT Refrigerate!)
Transporting CS Specimen
 For URINE cultures:
1. Ensure integrity of the container.
2. Volume: at least 3ml for sterile wide-mouth
screw cap container.
3. Label the container with Patient ID and
apply barcode and/or appropriate forms
when available.
4. Transfer in a biohazard bag.
5. Transport at room temperature.
Transporting CS Specimen
 For BLOOD CS:
1. Cleanse the top of the container with a 70%
Alcohol swab before administering the
blood.
2. Place 5 ml of blood for each CS bottle
3. Ensure integrity of the container.
4. Label the container with Patient ID and
apply barcode and/or appropriate forms
when available.
5. Transfer in a biohazard bag ASAP.
6. Do not Refrigerate!
Transporting CS Specimen
 For WOUND swab:

1. Ensure integrity of the container.

2. Label the container with Patient ID and
apply barcode and/or appropriate forms
when available.
3. Transfer in a biohazard bag ASAP.
 References
 Rosenthal, K et al. (2007). Drawing blood from a CVAD. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!: September-
October 2007 - Volume 5 - Issue 5 - p 21-22. doi: 10.1097/01.NME.0000286200.50123.67. https://
journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/Citation/2007/09000/Drawing_blood_from_a_CVAD
.5.aspx
 Septimus, Ed. (2019). Collecting Cultures: A Clinician Guide. https://
www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/core-elements/collecting-cultures.html
 https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/viewport/TUB/latest/appendix-1-sputum-specimen-collection-
storage-and-shipment-20323709.html#:~:text=1.3%20Sputum%20specimen%20shipment,-To%20a
%20local&text=%E2%80%93%20Without%20CPC%20transport%20medium%3A
%20between,protected%20from%20heat%20and%20light.
 https://www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca/locations_services/Services/Pathology-Laboratory-
Med/healthpractitioners/Pages/culturenandsensitivityurine.aspx
 Questions and Suggestions
will be reviewed by the
NURSE EDUCATION TEAM
through your participation in our
SURVEY MONKEY Feedback Questionnaire.
Link will be sent through your Whatsapp.
Jazakallahu Khair!!!