Sample collection

Specimens for bacterial culture, wherever possible, should be collected prior to the start of antibiotic treatment.

Actual pus or tissue samples are always preferable to swabs.

Use aseptic technique during specimen collection to avoid unintentional contamination.

Specimens must be collected into sterile containers.

Ensure the correct specimen container is used for the sample type: see A-Z.

Specimens must be clearly labelled: do not cover any barcodes with sticky labels (e.g. on blood culture bottles)

Electronic requests will always generate a sticky label that must be used for these types of request. When making multiple electronic requests, make sure to put the correct label on each of the samples.

After collection, ensure specimen container lid is secure and place in a plastic, sealable bag.

Do not put samples from different patients in the same specimen bag.

Sample containers

The following guide provides information on the appropriate containers for specimen type and test:

OUH Microbiology suitable sample containers (pdf, 523 KB)

For a guide on using adult blood culture bottles see:

Adult blood culture help sheet (pdf, 255 KB)

Information for blood tube type can be found for individual tests in the A-Z:

A-Z - Microbiology

Please see also:

BD tube guide and recommended order of draw

The vacutainer system is used in Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Please aim to fill specimen tubes completely.

Paediatric bottles are available for collecting smaller volume samples from children, including blood cultures (single bottle instead of two).

Never pour blood from one specimen container to another because transfer of inappropriate additives will cause misleading results.

If you have any queries, please contact us before collection.

Patient collected samples

For information for patients on how to collect and store urine and stool samples please see the documents at the links below.

Collection of a mid-stream urine (MSU) sample (pdf, 196 KB)

Collection of a faeces sample (pdf, 238 KB)

For information on self-test kits for STI testing please visit:

Online testing (self-test kits) - Sexual Health Oxfordshire

Storage

Samples should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. Most specimens for testing within the Microbiology Laboratory must be processed within 24 hours of being taken (maximum 48 hours).

The laboratory can receive samples 24 hours a day, including weekends; however, if there is a delay, samples should be stored at 2-8°C except for the following, which should remain at room temperature:

• Blood cultures
• Skin scrapings / nail cuttings / hair cuttings for fungal culture
• Eye swabs for Acanthamoeba
  

Waste disposal

All material used in the collection of specimens should be appropriately and safely discarded.

Clinical waste (including gloves and disposable PPE) should be discarded into orange bin bags or the appropriate clinical waste steam.

Equipment that has been used for sample collection, and used point of care test cartridges, should be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of accordingly.

Any equipment posing a sharps risk should be disposed of into yellow sharps bins.